After departing from the Boston Celtics, Luke Kornet opened up on an NBA legend having an impact on his jersey number decision.
This offseason, the Boston Celtics' roster has gone through a massive makeover. Along with executing multiple trades, a handful of role players have moved on to new situations in free agency. Among the most notable was Luke Kornet, who inked a $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
In his second stint with the Celtics, Kornet emerged as one of the more reliable backup centers in the NBA. His size and unique defensive tactics resulted in a market forming for him this summer, with the Spurs winning the sweepstakes with their sizable offer.
Throughout his career, Kornet has donned countless jersey numbers. He is undergoing another change in San Antonio, now donning the No. 7. During his introductory press conference, Kornet opened up on why he chose this number. The journeyman had a comical response, saying NBA Hall of Famer Tim Duncan played a role in the decision.
Newest #Spurs big man Luke Kornet cracks that he chose #7 because he wants to be a third of the player Tim Duncan was.
— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) July 7, 2025
Added that he loves multiples & factors. pic.twitter.com/ygvu93g2nE
After helping the Celtics win a championship in 2024, Kornet is now on an iconic franchise that is back on the rise. The Spurs have a new cornerstone piece in Victor Wembanyama and have paired him with an All-Star in De'Aaron Fox and countless promising young players.
With the Spurs, Kornet is sure to see his role change throughout the year. While he'll likely primarily serve as a backup to Wembanyama, the two could also play together at times. The double-big look could come in handy for San Antonio, especially against teams like the OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets.
Having been part of a team that won at the highest level, Kornet now brings his experience to the Spurs as they attempt to turn a corner in 2026.
Category: Basketball
