Luke Kornet

During Boston's championship season, Kornet averaged 15.6 minutes per game, a six-year high for the reserve center. Similar playing time is expected for the Green Kornet during the 2024-25 season, with the occasional DNP-Coach's Decision. Kornet could see additional minutes early in the season while Kristaps Porzingis recovers from foot surgery. Al Horford will start while the Unicorn is out, but Big Al is 38 years old and no longer plays the second match of back-to-backs. That means Kornet could get the occasional start if he can beat out fellow backup big man Xavier Tillman. Memphis traded Tillman to Boston last season at the deadline. Kornet averaged 16 minutes per game after the Tillman trade, so Tillman's presence doesn't really threaten Kornet's standard backup minutes. You may recall that early in Kornet's career he would hit roughly 1.5 threes per game. Well, those days are long gone. In fact, Kornet has attempted only 19 three-pointers over the past three seasons. The 29-year-old does produce standard reserve center stats over his brief appearances, with averages of 5.4 points, 4.1 boards and 1.0 blocks per contest last season. Similar production should be expected from Kornet this year unless the ageless Horford suffers a long-term injury, which would create more opportunities for Kornet and Tillman to shine.