The Spurs officially got away with the biggest steal of free agency

The San Antonio Spurs just showed off their new-look roster, and their hidden gem was on full display. The Spurs wisely scooped up former Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet minutes after free agency began. In his first game with the Spurs, he put up a terrific 16 points, and showcased exactly why he they brought him in.

Adding Kornet ranks as one of the more underrated offseason moves of any NBA team, with him being an advanced stat darling. He also fills the Spurs' biggest hole, which was at backup center.

He may not play a lot in terms of minutes per game, considering he is playing behind star Victor Wembanyama. Even so, his minutes will be crucial. Oftentimes with stars, their teams struggle when they are off the floor, with their team usually getting outscored and the star forced to pick up the slack when they're back in the game.

The Spurs are trying to buck that trend by getting a player who might start on another team to back up their best player.

Luke Kornet will transform the second unit for the Spurs

Even though he isn't likely to play big minutes next season, he could be key to San Antonio unleashing their full defensive potential. He is an elite rim protector who could give San Antonio the ability to have at least one dominant rim deterrent on the floor at all times.

Having one defensive focal point to build a top-10 defense around is a huge advantage, let alone two. That is something that new Spurs defensive coordinator Sean Sweeney will take full advantage of.

He previously coached a top 10 defense as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Now that he has impressive defensive personnel, he could help San Antonio make a huge leap at the end of the floor, along with Kornet and Wembanyama, of course.

Kornet gives the Spurs a big upgrade on both ends

Considering who the Spurs were playing behind Wembanyama last season, even a decent option at center would be an upgrade. Kornet is better than decent, though.

He is a good screen setter, which should free up his teammates, and is an underrated passer and a terrific rebounder. All of those things are beneficial, but his rim protection is most important to the Spurs. So much so that the second unit should be a plus, thanks largely to him.

He may also even play alongside Wembanyama, helping to expand his role beyond what could be 15 minutes per game. Them sharing the floor for even a few minutes a game could help boost the team's defense and give coach Mitch Johnson some intriguing offensive options.

One possibility is that Kornet could set screens for Wembanyama. That could set him up for easier shots while also possibly unleashing Kornet as a roll man with Wembanyama feeding him.

All told, Kornet should solve the Spurs' biggest problem from last season, backup center. With Kornet a perfect fit on both ends of the floor, he could not only help the Spurs thrive with Wembanyama off the floor but even play alongside Wembanyama.