The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA.
We will see them take the court for a full season without legendary head coach Gregg Popovich, who retired following a multitude of health problems that have seen him miss several games over the last few years. The Spurs will now be led by Mitch Johnson, who was named head coach after Popovich stepped down, ending his 29-year run in San Antonio.
As interesting as that development may be, the main event is, of course, Victor Wembanyama. After winning Rookie of the Year during the 2023-2024 season, Wembanyama put up even crazier numbers this season than they did in his historic rookie season.
He averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 47.% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc. and 83.6% from the free throw line, all increased (aside from steals per game) from his freshman season. Wembanyama, unfortunately, was limited to 46 games due to injuries.
The Spurs then inexplicably won the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA’s Draft Lottery and selected Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, potentially giving Wembanyama a young running mate for years to come.
Now, the Spurs are focused on adding veterans to fill out their roster and potentially make a run at the postseason. They’ve done that by agreeing to a deal with a former NBA Champion.
Spurs Sign One of the League’s Top Available Big Men to Pair With Victor Wembanyama
The Spurs’ first big move of free agency is an agreement with the Boston Celtics’ big man Luke Kornet.
The Spurs agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with Kornet on Monday.
“Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania. “Key frontcourt addition for the Spurs, who negotiated a contract tonight with Kornet’s agent Max Wiepking of Gersh Sports.”
Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN. Key frontcourt addition for the Spurs, who negotiated a contract tonight with Kornet’s agent Max Wiepking of Gersh Sports. pic.twitter.com/cLnXxWJ2cv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Kornet really turned his career around with the Celtics, making himself into a key contributor with the 2024 NBA Champions. Kornet, 29, averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game. He played in 73 games for the Celtics, starting 16, and shot 66.8% from the field.
Kornet, who went undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2017, has also spent time with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
The deal gives the Spurs needed depth in the frontcourt. Kornet is PFSN’s 17th-best available free agent.
For the Celtics, it represents another loss of their championship team, having already traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks and Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason.
