Boston’s roster shuffle this summer has left plenty of gaps, and Derrick White made it clear one of the toughest losses for him personally is Luke Kornet.
Kornet earned his way into Boston’s rotation over the last two seasons. That rise turned into a four-year, $40.7 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs, a deal the Celtics couldn’t match.
White praised Kornet’s journey and made it clear San Antonio fans are getting someone easy to root for.
“Luke, man, I’m so happy for him,” White said on his White Noise podcast. “Like nobody deserves it more than him. This is a guy who was on a two-way, was cut, Exhibit 10s. He could’ve had more money elsewhere, then came back with us, and for most of the year, he was carrying us…You hate to see him go, but you’re just so happy for him to get what he deserves, and San Antonio’s going to love him…
“He’s a guy who knows how to play the game the right way. A guy you want to play with. He makes the game easy for you because he’s not asking for the ball on the block. He’s not asking for any stat. He’s not hunting stats. I think he’s going to have a fun time in San Antonio, and [I’m] definitely going to miss him.”
Kornet suited up in 73 games last season, averaging six points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting nearly 67 percent from the field.
White also touched on the loss of big man Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Hawks.
“KP, he’s the best,” White said. “I’ll always remember him kissing my head after that layup, and I was like, ‘What are you doing, KP?’ But that’s just the type of guy that he is. He just wants the best for everybody, and he’s so giving and so caring; especially on the court. Just having so much fun. [He] just kind of does his own thing. And his swag, the things he does, you’re just like, ‘Yeah, only KP.’”
READ MORE: Kristaps Porzingis Thought He Was Headed to San Antonio, Not Atlanta