Luke Kornet credits Boston Celtics tenure in next step with Spurs

As Luke Kornet begins the next step of his career with the Spurs, around those parts, he’s viewed as the veteran with championship experience. Kornet won the 2024 NBA title with the Celtics where he was a key reserve coming off the bench.

That’s again what he’ll be asked for in San Antonio as a backup for phenom Victor Wembanyama. But he does bring some of that veteran presence to the Spurs locker room. Kornet, speaking recently after a Spurs practice, credited his Celtics tenure and the “mundane” process it took to win a championship.

“Obviously an incredible experience, and being able to share it with the team and the Celtics organization,” Kornet said. “Especially the couple years that we had of contending for it and falling short, and then to finally be able to do it. … It just takes kind of everybody just really daily working and committing to just doing their role and competing at the highest level. There’s not really any kind of cheat code. It’s just very disciplined.”

Kornet signed with the Spurs in free agency this summer, agreeing to a four-year contract for the first big payday of his career. While the Celtics would have loved to keep him — especially looking at their current front-court rotation — it was going to be difficult to retain Kornet considering the money factor.

today, Kornet gets a chance to help a Spurs squad that should be one of the more interesting ones in the league. San Antonio sputtered last season, though that came after Wembanyama was shut down for the season due to a blood clot. But the Spurs have a roster that should make some noise in the West.

The Spurs have, obviously, Wembanyama as the headliner, who’s healthy and ready to slow down opposing teams. But they also have young pieces like reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this year’s No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, along with vets like De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes and more. Then add Kornet into the mix.

From Kornet’s perspective, the Spurs needed a backup big. So he’ll once again be a role player, an area where he excelled in Boston. But perhaps there will be an opportunity for Kornet to also play alongside Wembanyama, similar to how he played alongside other bigs when he was with the Celtics.

“We definitely hope to play together,” Kornet said. “I was fortunate enough to play with (Kristaps) Porzingis and (Al) Horford last year. So to be able to have some experience with that. I think having two rim protectors can give you a lot of versatility to make things hard for the other team. Should be a fun time trying to figure it out offensively.”