Is Luke Kornet on one of the NBA’s best value contracts?

Is Luke Kornet on one of the NBA’s best value contracts? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has handed out nearly a billion dollars in extensions over the past two years while re-signing the top eight players on Boston’s roster in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser.

And yet, sometimes we wonder if his biggest heist is re-signing Luke Kornet to a one-year, $2.1 million minimum salary contract this past offseason.

In a league thin of serviceable backup big men, Kornet seemingly could have cashed in this summer after being the ninth man in Boston’s championship rotation. Last season he quietly morphed his game from floor-stretching big to paint-cemented rim-runner, and produced his best overall season as a pro.

Instead of waiting for big money offers, Kornet was essentially the NBA’s first re-signee, agreeing to the one-year pact with Boston right at the very first moment teams could announce deals with their own players.

On Saturday night, in a spot start in Charlotte, Kornet scored a season-high 19 points on perfect 6-of-6 shooting with four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. In fact, he didn’t miss a shot over two games against the Hornets. For the season, Kornet is averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds over 19 minutes per game.

It’s the not the sexiest stat line, but head coach Joe Mazzulla is quick to point out that so much of Kornet’s impact can’t be quantified in counting stats. Kornet is content to set screens and make good decisions when he does touch the ball. He’s a solid passer who can spray it to shooters off the roll, and he’s content to subsist on lobs and putbacks for his own offensive output.

When the Celtics are at full health, Kornet’s role can be a bit more limited. But on a team where Kristaps Porzingis is sidelined until December and Al Horford needs strategic rest, having a third big like Kornet is key to Boston sustaining a high level of play. Not every matchup is ideal for Kornet, and the Celtics have mixed in a…

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Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-11-04 16:43:00

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