Key Celtics Vet Predicted to Bolt Boston for Hawks
Key Celtics Vet Predicted to Bolt Boston for Hawks originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Atlanta Hawks could start to surround their young talent with reliable veteran players in free agency. The Hawks have a bright future with Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. Additionally, they have an All-Star guard, Trae Young, at the helm, who could elevate their game.
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Making moves to surround their young talent could be the right approach this summer. One of the Hawks' major concerns for their roster is their frontcourt depth. There have been conversations that veteran big man Clint Capela will sign with a different organization as an unrestricted free agent.
Atlanta has also shown a preference for Onyeka Okongwu as their starting center for the future. This means the Hawks are targeting a veteran big man who could provide help on both ends of the floor.
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet and center Al Horford walk off the court during a timeout.Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report recently released his free agency predictions. Pincus linked the Hawks to veteran big man Luke Kornet. Kornet is set to be a free agent this summer following his one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Boston Celtics.
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Pincus explained that his defense could entice Atlanta to add him to the young roster.
"Kornet may not be a starter, but he's shown throughout the last few years that he's a viable rotation center who can provide a defensive presence. That might be enough for a team to pay more than Boston can or will, especially with the Celtics facing massive repeater taxes, in a year when Tatum (Achilles) is unlikely to suit up," Pincus wrote.
According to Pincus, the bi-annual exception of $5.1 million could be enough to snatch him away from Boston.
Last season, Kornet appeared in 73 games and averaged six points, 5.3 rebounds and a block. In the playoffs, the 7-foot-2 center had 4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. In Game 5 against the New York Knicks in the second round of the postseason, he had 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks in 25 minutes. His performance on both ends of the floor helped the Celtics to secure a 127-102 victory.
Related: Trae Young News Emerges on Friday Amid NBA Trade Rumors
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
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