Newly Re-Signed Celtic Had ‘Multiple Other Suitors’: Report
Unlock the latest Boston Celtics news — direct to your inbox.
GettyLuke Kornet
The Boston Celtics‘ offseason in 2024 has consisted mainly of running back their roster that won the title. Thus far, they’ve re-signed Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta to standard contracts while re-signing JD Davison and Drew Peterson on two-way contracts.
Apparently, one Celtics drew interest from other parties. MassLive’s Brian Robb reported that Kornet had a market before he re-signed with the Celtics.
“A league source told MassLive that Kornet had multiple other suitors in free agency but eventually opted to return on a one-year deal,” Robb wrote in a July 8 story.
Assistant GM Austin Ainge revealed to reporters that some of the Celtics who came back passed up on richer offers.
“We had some guys turn down more money (from) other places to come back. It feels really good that guys we care about a lot to come back and go for another run,” Ainge told reporters, per Robb.
Ainge did not specify who, but given Kornet’s reported other suitors, it’s likely that he received richer offers from them. Kornet has come along quite well in his time with the Celtics. Over the last four seasons, he went from the starting center on their G-League roster to becoming one of their primary backup bigs in their title run.
Luke Kornet Intentionally Timed Free Agent Signing
When free agency began on June 30, Kornet’s re-signing in Boston was the first deal reported. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported this at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Center Luke Kornet has agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN.
Read 736 replies
Apparently, this was by design. The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported that Kornet intentionally made himself the first signing as a joke.
“Luke Kornet timed his free agent signing for as soon as free agency started because he thought it would be funny that LUKE KORNET was the first free agent deal. So on brand,” CelticsBlog posted on their X account, per Katz.
Per @FredKatz – Luke Kornet timed his free agent signing for as soon as free agency started because he thought it would be funny that LUKE KORNET was the first free agent deal. So on brand.
Read 17 replies
Since coming to Boston, Kornet has established himself as a funny guy. Among his funniest moments was performing the “ice in my veins” celebration when the Celtics played against the Indiana Pacers.
Leave a Reply