Luke Kornet blossomed during the 2024-25 NBA regular season with the Boston Celtics, solidifying his role as a valuable backup big man. His performance was particularly highlighted during games when starters Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis rested, allowing Kornet to showcase his abilities. Fans who once questioned his future with the team now reflect on his growth and memorable moments throughout the season. The Celtics have honored Kornet's contributions with a highlight reel, underscoring the impact he made during his tenure in Boston.

The Los Angeles Lakers are making significant moves to address their center position, recently signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal worth approximately $8 million per year. Ayton, with impressive career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds, brings offensive prowess and athleticism to the team.

However, the Lakers are looking to bolster their roster further by pursuing veteran big man Al Horford. At 39, Horford brings invaluable experience and skill, maintaining effective scoring and defensive capabilities. He averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in limited minutes last season, showcasing his ability to contribute in a multifaceted role.

The Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant offseason move by signing former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal worth $34 million. This acquisition comes after Ayton was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers, and it addresses a critical weakness in the Lakers' frontcourt that was exposed during their playoff exit. With stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the roster, Ayton adds much-needed size and a reliable lob threat, enhancing Los Angeles' athleticism in the paint.

Before finalizing the deal with Ayton, the Lakers were in discussions with several veteran centers, including Al Horford from the Boston Celtics. Recent reports indicated that Horford was weighing options between the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. However, with Ayton now in the mix for Los Angeles, the likelihood of Horford joining the Warriors has increased, much to the excitement of Golden State fans, who view Ayton's signing as a clear signal of Horford's impending move to their team.

The Golden State Warriors' offseason has been characterized by minimal activity, despite their efforts to enhance their roster around stars Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. They drafted Alex Toohey and Will Richard, but faced the setback of losing veteran center Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors are reportedly interested in signing Al Horford but might find competition tough. Additionally, they could target Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, a promising 3-and-D player, although his injury history and the Pelicans' reluctance to trade him pose challenges.

The Boston Celtics are facing a significant decline in talent following the 2024-25 season, with key veterans like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis traded away and Al Horford's future uncertain. The departure of backup big man Luke Kornet further exacerbates the team's depth problems at power forward and center. To counterbalance this, team president Brad Stevens has brought in Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, and Luka Garza, but the overall talent of the rotation appears diminished.

In a recent discussion on the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast, hosts Adam Taylor and Billy Calabrese examined the implications of this talent drain for the upcoming season. They explored the potential upside of the Celtics entering a rebuilding phase, weighing the benefits of developing younger players against the challenges of a likely dip in wins. The Celtics will need to rely on the development of newcomers Minott and Garza to maintain competitiveness in the league.