San Antonio Spurs sign backup big man Luke Kornet to 4-year, $41 million contract

The San Antonio Spurs have finally found their backup big man for team superstar Victor Wembanyama.

The franchise will sign Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet to a $41 million, four-year contract, ESPN reports, citing league sources. The Spurs and Kornet’s agent reportedly negotiated the deal Monday night.

The 7-foot-2 Kornet averaged six points, five rebounds and one block in 19 minutes of play for the Celtics last year. His toughness and defensive prowess made him a Boston fan favorite.

Kornet’s signing is critical if the Spurs are to contend for a playoff spot this year. Before Kornet agreed to come to the Alamo City, the Spurs’ tallest player after Wemby was Jeremy Sochan, who’s an undersize 6-foot-8.

Kornet, who’s 29, also brings veteran knowledge to the Spurs while still being young enough to fit into the team’s timeline.

And, as part of the Celtics lineup that landed the 2024 NBA Championship, Kornet also knows how to win.

In addition to Boston, Kornet has played for the New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks. He went undrafted in 2017 before signing with the Knicks and bounced around in the G-League before becoming a solid role player with the Celtics.

The Spurs’ summer league is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. July 5 with a matchup against the Miami Heat. Although Kornet isn’t on the Summer League roster, fans can tune in to watch No. 2 draft pick Dylan Harper and No. 14 pick Carter Bryant in action before the regular season begins.

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This article appears in Jun 26 – Jul 9, 2025.