SanAntonioSpurs
07-01-2025, 03:23 AM
Why add another rim protector?
Section 2: Quantifying the Defensive Void: The Spurs Without Wembanyama
To fully appreciate the strategic imperative behind the Luke Kornet signing, one must first comprehend the cavernous defensive void that opened whenever Victor Wembanyama left the court. During the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, the San Antonio Spurs were effectively two different teams: a respectable defensive unit with their franchise cornerstone on the floor, and a historically porous one without him.
When Wembanyama was on the floor, opponents were visibly hesitant to attack the rim, attempting only 45.6 shots per 100 possessions in the paint. When he sat, that number jumped to 52.0, as opposing guards felt free to drive into the lane with little fear of resistance.
During the 2023-24 season, with Wembanyama on the court, the Spurs posted a defensive rating of 117.2. While not an elite figure, it was a respectable number for a young, rebuilding team. However, in the minutes Wembanyama was on the bench, that rating skyrocketed to 123.1. To put that number in perspective, a defensive rating of 123.1 would have ranked as the worst in the entire NBA by a significant margin. This trend was not an anomaly; it continued into the 2024-25 season, where the Spurs had an on-court DRTG of 115.4 and an off-court DRTG of 121.4.
Okay, you convinced me that what everybody already knew is true, we did need another rim protector. Why Luke Kornet?
Advanced analytical models confirm what the tape shows. The scouting service CraftedNBA, which evaluates players based on comprehensive performance data, rates Kornet in the 94th percentile for block percentage and the 96th percentile for overall rim defense. The 3StepsBasket analytics :musicplatform rates his overall defense in the 88th percentile among all NBA players. These numbers paint a clear picture of a player who provides a legitimate, high-level defensive presence
Here are other players who could be compared to Luke Kornet below in a table:
| Player | Team | 2024-25 AAV | 2024-25 MPG | 2024-25 PPG | 2024-25 RPG | 2024-25 BPG | Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Kornet | SAS | $10,250,000 | 18.6 | 6.0 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 1.7 |
| Jaxson Hayes | LAL | $2,463,946 | 14.5 | 6.8 | 4.8 | 0.9 | -0.4 |
| Daniel Theis | IND | $2,800,834 | 15.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Mo Bamba | NOP | $2,613,120 | 12.1 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Clint Capela | HOU | $18,500,000 | 25.7 | 11.5 | 10.6 | 1.5 | 0.9 |
As the table demonstrates, Kornet's defensive impact, measured by metrics like DBPM, is significantly higher than that of other backups in the lower salary tier. While Mo Bamba provides similar block numbers and a comparable DBPM for a much lower price, Kornet's value is further substantiated by advanced metrics that capture his unique ability to deter shots at the rim, a skill not fully reflected in standard box scores.
So, now we have the team's biggest weakness filled by one of the best players available to do so.
What about the contract?
A Prudent and Precise Investment
Considering the contract's flexible structure and Kornet's elite, specialized skill set, the four-year, $41 million deal is a prudent and precise investment that aligns with market value for a top-tier backup center. The argument is cemented by one key piece of data: according to Synergy Sports Tech, Kornet finished the 2024-25 season ranked fourth in the entire NBA in field goal percentage allowed in the restricted area among all players who faced over 250 such shots. The only players ahead of him were Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama, and Daniel Gafford.
This is not the statistical profile of a generic backup. It is the profile of an elite specialist. The Spurs identified their single greatest weakness—paint defense when Wembanyama rests—and allocated their primary free-agent resource to acquire one of the league's most effective solutions.
The most crucial element of the contract, however, is the inclusion of a team option on the fourth and final year. It grants the team maximum long-term flexibility. If Kornet continues to perform at a high level, the Spurs can retain him on a market-rate deal. If his performance declines or the team's needs evolve, they possess an easy exit ramp before the 2028-29 season. This timing is not coincidental; it will likely align with the beginning of massive, supermax-level contract extensions for Victor Wembanyama and other key members of the young core
On the other end is a growing class of high-level backups, often defensive specialists, who command salaries in the full MLE range. Kornet's contract firmly places him in the latter category, and his performance justifies the price.
A comparative analysis of other backup centers from the recent free-agent class illustrates this point. Players like Jaxson Hayes ($2.46 million AAV) and Daniel Theis ($2.8 million AAV) provide depth but do not possess the elite, game-altering defensive skill that Kornet brings. The Spurs were not merely shopping for a 7-foot body to fill 15 minutes a night; they were investing in a specific, high-demand capability: elite rim protection.
Summary:
The immediate reaction to a $41 million contract for a career backup center can often be one of sticker shock. However, a detailed examination of the contract's structure, the current NBA economic landscape, and Kornet's specific, high-value skill set reveals the agreement to be a prudent and precisely targeted investment rather than an overpayment. The Spurs did not acquire a generic bench player; they secured a specialized defensive anchor whose value is magnified by the unique composition of their roster.
This was a smart acquisition at a reasonable price.
Section 2: Quantifying the Defensive Void: The Spurs Without Wembanyama
To fully appreciate the strategic imperative behind the Luke Kornet signing, one must first comprehend the cavernous defensive void that opened whenever Victor Wembanyama left the court. During the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, the San Antonio Spurs were effectively two different teams: a respectable defensive unit with their franchise cornerstone on the floor, and a historically porous one without him.
When Wembanyama was on the floor, opponents were visibly hesitant to attack the rim, attempting only 45.6 shots per 100 possessions in the paint. When he sat, that number jumped to 52.0, as opposing guards felt free to drive into the lane with little fear of resistance.
During the 2023-24 season, with Wembanyama on the court, the Spurs posted a defensive rating of 117.2. While not an elite figure, it was a respectable number for a young, rebuilding team. However, in the minutes Wembanyama was on the bench, that rating skyrocketed to 123.1. To put that number in perspective, a defensive rating of 123.1 would have ranked as the worst in the entire NBA by a significant margin. This trend was not an anomaly; it continued into the 2024-25 season, where the Spurs had an on-court DRTG of 115.4 and an off-court DRTG of 121.4.
Okay, you convinced me that what everybody already knew is true, we did need another rim protector. Why Luke Kornet?
Advanced analytical models confirm what the tape shows. The scouting service CraftedNBA, which evaluates players based on comprehensive performance data, rates Kornet in the 94th percentile for block percentage and the 96th percentile for overall rim defense. The 3StepsBasket analytics :musicplatform rates his overall defense in the 88th percentile among all NBA players. These numbers paint a clear picture of a player who provides a legitimate, high-level defensive presence
Here are other players who could be compared to Luke Kornet below in a table:
| Player | Team | 2024-25 AAV | 2024-25 MPG | 2024-25 PPG | 2024-25 RPG | 2024-25 BPG | Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Kornet | SAS | $10,250,000 | 18.6 | 6.0 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 1.7 |
| Jaxson Hayes | LAL | $2,463,946 | 14.5 | 6.8 | 4.8 | 0.9 | -0.4 |
| Daniel Theis | IND | $2,800,834 | 15.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Mo Bamba | NOP | $2,613,120 | 12.1 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Clint Capela | HOU | $18,500,000 | 25.7 | 11.5 | 10.6 | 1.5 | 0.9 |
As the table demonstrates, Kornet's defensive impact, measured by metrics like DBPM, is significantly higher than that of other backups in the lower salary tier. While Mo Bamba provides similar block numbers and a comparable DBPM for a much lower price, Kornet's value is further substantiated by advanced metrics that capture his unique ability to deter shots at the rim, a skill not fully reflected in standard box scores.
So, now we have the team's biggest weakness filled by one of the best players available to do so.
What about the contract?
A Prudent and Precise Investment
Considering the contract's flexible structure and Kornet's elite, specialized skill set, the four-year, $41 million deal is a prudent and precise investment that aligns with market value for a top-tier backup center. The argument is cemented by one key piece of data: according to Synergy Sports Tech, Kornet finished the 2024-25 season ranked fourth in the entire NBA in field goal percentage allowed in the restricted area among all players who faced over 250 such shots. The only players ahead of him were Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama, and Daniel Gafford.
This is not the statistical profile of a generic backup. It is the profile of an elite specialist. The Spurs identified their single greatest weakness—paint defense when Wembanyama rests—and allocated their primary free-agent resource to acquire one of the league's most effective solutions.
The most crucial element of the contract, however, is the inclusion of a team option on the fourth and final year. It grants the team maximum long-term flexibility. If Kornet continues to perform at a high level, the Spurs can retain him on a market-rate deal. If his performance declines or the team's needs evolve, they possess an easy exit ramp before the 2028-29 season. This timing is not coincidental; it will likely align with the beginning of massive, supermax-level contract extensions for Victor Wembanyama and other key members of the young core
On the other end is a growing class of high-level backups, often defensive specialists, who command salaries in the full MLE range. Kornet's contract firmly places him in the latter category, and his performance justifies the price.
A comparative analysis of other backup centers from the recent free-agent class illustrates this point. Players like Jaxson Hayes ($2.46 million AAV) and Daniel Theis ($2.8 million AAV) provide depth but do not possess the elite, game-altering defensive skill that Kornet brings. The Spurs were not merely shopping for a 7-foot body to fill 15 minutes a night; they were investing in a specific, high-demand capability: elite rim protection.
Summary:
The immediate reaction to a $41 million contract for a career backup center can often be one of sticker shock. However, a detailed examination of the contract's structure, the current NBA economic landscape, and Kornet's specific, high-value skill set reveals the agreement to be a prudent and precisely targeted investment rather than an overpayment. The Spurs did not acquire a generic bench player; they secured a specialized defensive anchor whose value is magnified by the unique composition of their roster.
This was a smart acquisition at a reasonable price.