Celtics' Luke Kornet has become too important to let go

Luke Kornet is heading into unrestricted free agency at the end of the season. The Boston Celtics big man has enjoyed a career year and has established himself as a core part of Joe Mazzulla's rotation.

Despite being a non-shooting big, Kornet has found ways to thrive in a five-out offense. He's an elite short-roll creator. An exceptional screener. And has slowly developed into a playmaking hub on the perimeter, primarily via dribble hand-offs. 

Kornet's size makes him a legitimate rim deterrent and rim protector on defense. He's also elite at containing the opposing ball-handler in pick-and-roll scenarios. 

The fact that Boston is getting that sort of production out of a veteran minimum contract is a testament to Kornet's all-around growth. Unfortunately for the Celtics, that same growth could lead Kornet to receive bigger offers from other teams around the league during the summer. 

High-quality backup bigs are in short supply in the NBA, especially ones that can thrive on the perimeter without taking shots away from those around them.

Boston's issue is that Kornet isn't its only impending free agent. Al Horford is also set to hit the open market. According to a March 28 report from Jake Fischer, teams around the league could be willing to offer Horford deals starting at $6 million.

“After a tremendous campaign helping to offset Porzingis’ various absences, Horford will be the one rotation Celtic entering free agency this summer,” Fischer reported.” Replacing this season’s $9.5 million salary with a minimum contract next season would certainly help with Boston’s tax bill, too...Boston, mind you, has lost Horford in free agency before and more than one rival cap strategist out there has indicated that the 38-year-old could well attract offers starting at the projected $6 million taxpayer midlevel exception.”

Regardless of what Brad Stevens decides to do about Horford, he must find a way to keep Kornet with the franchise. Finding a replacement that can thrive in as many areas as the 7-foot role-player will be near impossible. 

The Celtics will likely need to part ways with a couple of role players in the summer. Their impending $500 million payroll will dictate that changes must occur. Still, Kornet should not be one of those changes. Not after the season he's had. Not when he's so important to the team's chances of success.