The first day of free agency saw the San Antonio Spurs make an under-the-radar signing, adding 7’1 center Luke Kornet. Considering that they wasted little time offering him most of their mid-level exception, it’s clear that they targeted him heading into the summer.
Especially since they gave him a team-friendly 4-year contract, possibly giving star Victor Wembanyama a long-term backup. Nevertheless, the Spurs may have bigger plans for Kornet.
He is a surprisingly versatile player in terms of potential fit with the Spurs. While his primary role will be to back up Wembanyama, they may end up playing a lot together.
After all, the NBA has seemingly shifted back to two-big-man lineups that prioritize rebounding in defense without sacrificing much offensively. The Oklahoma City Thunder is a case in point, with them starting centers Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein together.
It would give the Spurs an intriguing starting lineup that features plenty of size, rebounding, and rim protection. A projected starting lineup could potentially include De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Wembanyama, and Kornet.
Luke Kornet can give the Spurs a new version of Twin Towers
That would be a massive lineup that could shut down the paint with two elite rim protectors. Defensively, that lineup could be gangbusters, with Castle showing flashes of being able to hound point guards and even wings and Vassell being a capable if inconsistent team defender.
That leaves Fox as the only possible weak link, but far from a liability. Offensively, there may be some space and issues playing Kornet at center next to Wembanyama, but that may not be the end-all, be-all.
Fox is a high-volume three-point shooter who has shot 33.6% from deep for his career. He won’t ‘win the 3-point shootout, but combined with his abilities to get into and finish in the paint, it helps to make him more of an offensive threat. Kornet’s screen setting should help with him setting strong screens and being a massive target as a roll man.
Kornet can help the Spurs excel on both ends of the floor
Additionally, Castle has shown flashes as a shooter and should also benefit from playing with a strong screen setter, with Wembanyama being a poor screener. Kornet can also potentially help to offset the Spurs’ lack of shooting with him being an elite offensive rebounder.
The combination of two slashers, Fox and Castle, two high-volume 3-point shooters, Vassell and Wembanyama, and a classic center could work well offensively. The Spurs could play Kornet and Wembanyama together for the first six or seven minutes of each half before going back to playing one center for the rest of the game. That would guarantee that they have a rim protector on the floor at all times with defense serving as the backbone of what could be a great team next season.
All told, the Spurs could pair Wembanyama and Kornet together next season. If they do, then they could form a unique pairing that could help the Spurs get back to the playoffs next season. craft a lineup that could propel them back to the playoffs and even contention next season.
