Spurs signing of Luke Kornet answers burning question everyone's had for months

Luke Kornet will solve a massive problem for the Spurs.
ByCal Durrett|
Luke Kornet
Luke Kornet | Justin Casterline/GettyImages

After weeks of speculation, the San Antonio Spurs made their first official move of free agency by signing former Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet to a massive four-year, $41 million deal. That move couldn't come at a better time, with many of the top free agents already agreeing to contracts in the first hour of free agency.

The Spurs wisely used most of their mid-level exception to land Kornet, and that could prove to be a massive move. After all, Kornet is one of the more underrated big men in the NBA, with him being an elite rim protector and finisher around the basket.

He also is a talented passer and played a key part on the Celtics. Signing him away from Boston, who desperately wanted to keep him, should help San Antonio address their biggest flaw, which was a backup center.

The San Antonio Spurs just solved their biggest flaw

Adding Kornet means that they no longer have to play Jeremy Sochan at center behind Victor Wembanyama. That, in and of itself, is huge, given that Sochan will play his natural position while Kornet would keep the Spurs from imploding with Wembanyama on the bench or out with an injury.

Considering that Wembanyama only played 45 games last season, that can't be understated. Now, San Antonio has two centers on the roster, both over 7 ft tall, and they could look to add one more big man to round out their center rotation.

They technically might have enough to make a run at Philadelphia 76ers power forward/center Guerschon Yabusele. He has ties to the Spurs given that he was teammates with Wembanyama on the French National Team. However, the Spurs likely couldn't offer more than the $5.6 million bi-annual exception.

The Spurs roster suddenly makes a lot more sense

They likely would have to clear out playing time by moving Keldon Johnson or Harrison Barnes. That's not impossible, but they would have to take players back, and that could lead to more rotation changes.

As it stands, the Spurs projected starting lineup includes De'Aaron Fox, Steph Castle, Devin Vassell, and Barnes. Additionally, their second unit will likely include Dylan Harper, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, Sochan, and now Kornett.

All In all, the Spurs wisely made a big offer to Kornet and landed him on a reasonable contract. Given how much they needed a legit backup center, he should be a big part of the team next season.