Spurs' biggest offseason signing keeps proving Brian Wright is a genius

As the San Antonio Spurs near full strength, it's clear that this year's team is far deeper than last year's roster. One key difference has been backup center Luke Kornet, who has been forced to step into the starting lineup with star Victor Wembanyama out.

Those who watched the Spurs last season know just how depressing it was to watch the team when Wembanyama was off the floor, mainly because of who was playing behind him. The Spurs previously had Zach Collins, who flopped in that role, and later signed Bismack Biyombo.

Ironically, he was head and shoulders the best backup last season. Of course, he is buried deep on the bench now, which shows just how much the Spurs needed Kornet, and he's delivered thus far. That makes GM Brian Wright's decision to sign him at the start of free agency to a multi-year deal look genius in retrospect.

Luke Kornet is more than living up to the Spurs' expectations

Without Wembanyama, and with Kornet in the starting lineup, the Spurs are 9-2 and still in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Had Wright not brought him in, the Spurs would be far worse off than they are now, no doubt.

Kornet hasn't put up monster numbers, averaging a solid 6.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game as a starter. He has done more than enough to help the Spurs survive on both ends of the floor. Of course, there was his game-saving block against Franz Wagner, allowing the Spurs to beat the Orlando Magic while shorthanded.

However, the Spurs have actually done well offensively with Kornet too. The Spurs have an 118.6 offensive rating in the 11 games with Kornet starting this season, the equivalent to a top-6 offense during that span.

Luke Kornet has given the Spurs something they've been lacking

Obviously a lot of the credit goes to star De'Aaron Fox and the Spurs playing with three shooters in Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Harrison Barnes, but Kornet deserves plenty of credit too. His screen setting has been vital to getting those shooters open and helping Fox get an advantage that he can exploit.

He has also been helpful as a finisher in the paint and as an offensive rebounder, and with Stephon Castle now back, expect more Kornet alley-oops, making him all the more effective. In fact, he is really the only center on the roster who is skilled at rolling to the basket, an underrated aspect that's very useful.

Even so, hopefully, Wembanyama will be back soon, allowing Kornet to revert back to his role off the bench. Fortunately, he has already established himself as a crucial part of this team and has more than lived up to his new contract thus far.