Apr 25, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) goes to the basket against Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) during the second quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Luke Kornet Drawing Interest From Celtics' Biggest Rival

Originally posted on Boston Celtics on SI | By Ryan Stano | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 12:46 PM ET

The Boston Celtics are shedding salary this offseason, and everyone else in the NBA knows it. The rest of the NBA is going to look at their roster to see if they can get some guys in either a bargain trade or a nice free agent signing.

One of those players is Luke Kornet. This was the first season that the big man was able to contribute in a massive way in the NBA, and other teams have taken notice.

If the Celtics have to end up getting rid of Luke Kornet, their biggest rivals could end up benefiting from that.

The Celtics could end up losing Luke Kornet to the Lakers

There's a chance that Kornet could draw interest from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are a team that desperately needs a center, and they are looking for better depth at that spot.

They could end up being interested in bringing Kornet in to help with their depth at center.

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Kornet has shown that he can block shots near the rim and grab a ton of rebounds. He has shown the bones of a three-point shot, and that makes him valuable in free agency.

Boston had him on a very cheap contract this season. He is going to command more money in free agency, even if it's not a ton more money. That still might be too much to bring back to Boston.

The Celtics are in a very precarious cap situation. They won't be able to bring back fringe rotation pieces unless they do some serious unloading of other players.

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Kornet is the kind of player that the Celtics would like to bring back because he won't be commanding $11 or $12 million a year. He will be more in the $5-$6 millon per yera range.

Whether they will decide to bring him back will be determined by their ability to unload Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.

This season, Kornet averaged six points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He shot 66.8 percent from the field.

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This article first appeared on Boston Celtics on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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