Spurs' latest addition has already proved he can fit next to Victor Wembanyama

Luke Kornet joins the San Antonio Spurs as a former NBA champion. He was a key backup in Joe Mazzulla's rotation during the Boston Celtics' 2024 championship run. Kornet knows what it takes to win at the highest level, and he's proved he can be a valuable asset alongside multi-skilled big men.

It makes sense, then, that the San Antonio Spurs moved quickly to secure his services this summer. Kornet signed a four-year deal with the franchise, with the final year being non-guaranteed. After some strong showings next to Kristaps Porzingis, San Antonio likely feels that Kornet can provide reliable depth behind or alongside Victor Wembanyama. 

“Obviously, Victor's talented where I feel like we could be able to play together. I did that some with Kristaps Porzingis in Boston in the past year and Al Horford,” Kornet said during his introductory news conference. “I feel like having a lot of experience with that both defensively and offensively and how to be able to play.”

Wembanyama and Porzingis share many similarities in terms of their size and diverse skill sets. They don't rely on an interior-based game to impact winning. Both are highly talented three-level shooters. Kornet's experiences of playing in a five-out system for Boston will allow him to hit the ground running with the Spurs.

San Antonio now has a rotation big man who can slide into the starting lineup or keep the defense locked in when Wembanyama goes to the bench. Furthermore, the Spurs can feel comfortable resting their third-year star, knowing that Kornet's presence allows them to keep their usual style of play.

There aren't many players who can provide the complementary skill set that Kornet provides. Wembanyama now has a teammate whom he can learn from, and who can slot next to him when the Spurs go big. Kornet could end up looking like one of the best free-agent signings of the summer if things work out as planned in the coming months.