Behind the $55M Superstar, This Celtics Playoff Hero Just Cashed In – Big Time!
The NBA free agent “moratorium” period launched with a bang on Monday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, and within hours, the Boston Celtics’ roster was already undergoing a dramatic transformation. This five-day window allows teams to negotiate and strike deals with free agents, though signings can’t be finalized until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. Eastern Time. For the Celtics, the opening hours of this period saw a key departure—and a swift replacement—that sent ripples through the league.
Luke Kornet’s Big Payday in San Antonio
The first to exit Boston was 29-year-old backup center Luke Kornet, who’s headed to the San Antonio Spurs on a jaw-dropping four-year, $41 million deal, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kornet, who’s been a reliable presence behind the often-injured Kristaps Porzingis, will now back up the Spurs’ generational talent, Victor Wembanyama—the 7-foot-3, 21-year-old phenom drafted No. 1 overall in 2023.
Kornet’s new contract is nothing short of a financial slam dunk. The 7-foot-2 Vanderbilt alum, who went undrafted in 2017, will earn roughly 75 percent of Wembanyama’s $55.175 million rookie deal over the same four-year span. That’s a staggering leap for a player whose total career earnings over eight seasons pale in comparison to this single contract. His breakout moment came in Game Five of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, where he stepped up in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who suffered a devastating Achilles injury in Game Four. Facing elimination, Kornet delivered a heroic performance: 10 points, nine rebounds, and an astonishing seven blocks in just 26 minutes, keeping Boston’s playoff hopes alive. Each of those blocks, it seems, was worth about $5.85 million, as his new deal nearly triples his career earnings to date.
“Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported, crediting Kornet’s agent, Max Wiepking of Gersh Sports, for sealing the deal. For the Spurs, Kornet represents a key frontcourt addition to complement their young superstar, bringing defensive grit and playoff-proven poise.
Celtics’ Calculated Pivot to Luka Garza
While Kornet’s departure stings, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens didn’t waste a moment addressing the void. Less than 40 minutes after Charania broke the news of Kornet’s deal, he reported that Boston had secured free agent center Luka Garza on a two-year, $5.5 million fully guaranteed contract. Negotiated with Garza’s representatives, Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of Priority Sports, the deal is a cost-effective move for a team looking to maintain depth without breaking the bank.
Garza, the 2021 National College Player of the Year from Iowa, was a second-round pick (53rd overall) by the Detroit Pistons. After a single season in Detroit, he spent three years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging just 6.3 minutes and 4.5 points across 92 games. At 26, Garza brings offensive upside as a skilled big man, though his defensive limitations have kept him from securing a larger role in the NBA. As MassLive’s Souichi Terada noted, “While Garza possesses skills as an offensive big, his defense is the major question mark and why he hasn’t quite stuck out in the NBA much. It’s unlikely the Celtics are going to rely on him as the main starter but more of a reserve big man.”
A Strategic Move for Boston’s Future
The Celtics’ decision to let Kornet walk reflects a calculated approach. At $10.25 million per year, Kornet’s new deal was likely deemed too steep for a backup center turning 30 on July 15, especially after Boston paid him $2.8 million for the 2024-2025 season. By pivoting to Garza, Stevens secured a younger, cheaper option with potential to grow into the role, preserving financial flexibility for a roster already navigating the loss of Tatum and the demands of a championship defense.
As the moratorium period unfolds, the Celtics are proving they can adapt quickly, balancing cost and talent to stay competitive. Meanwhile, Kornet’s playoff heroics have earned him a life-changing payday, and Spurs fans are eager to see how he’ll bolster their rising star, Wembanyama. For Boston, the focus now shifts to integrating Garza and preparing for what promises to be a fiercely contested 2025-2026 season.