Jayson Tatum’s two words say it all as Boston Celtics loses third core player in Luke Kornet

The Boston Celtics aren’t easing into the offseason—they’re being reshaped by it. First came Jrue Holiday. Then Kristaps Porziņģis. And now, with Luke Kornet off to San Antonio on a $41 million deal, Boston has lost its third championship piece.

Add a sidelined Jayson Tatum and a thinning frontcourt, and it’s clear: the Celtics are rebuilding on the fly. Tatum’s quiet “much deserved” says everything about where this team stands.

Offseason tremors shake Boston Celtics’ championship core again

In a matter of weeks, the Boston Celtics have taken apart the very structure that supported their 2024 NBA title run. The first step was a cost-saving trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers—cutting $72 million over two seasons and keeping the team clear of the second tax apron.

Not long after, Kristaps Porziņģis was dealt in a three-team trade, widening the gap between Boston and their championship big man.

Now, with Luke Kornet gone, their entitlement—and depth—takes another hit.Kornet, a five-season player with the Celtics who made key contributions, signed a four-year, $41 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs, marking a career-high payday. He wrapped up the 2024–25 season averaging 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game, and then shone in the playoffs during Game 5 against the Knicks, scoring 10 points, pulling down nine rebounds, and blocking seven shots off the bench.

In response, a recovering Tatum simply posted "much deserved" on his Instagram story — two words that encapsulated both celebration and closure.

Boston's offseason has revolved around survival as much as it has around strategy. The Achilles injury that will keep Tatum out for the entire 2025–26 season led GM Brad Stevens to make some bold moves to cut costs. Trading Holiday and Porziņģis helped save around $200 million in salary and tax commitments.

With Kornet now gone, the frontcourt choices are even more limited — Boston's roster now includes Neemias Queta, rookie Amari Williams, and the recently signed Luka Garza.Without Kornet's solid defense and locker-room energy, Boston is set to explore external avenues—whether through free agency or trades — to address gaps in a roster that's geared for the future, led by Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With Al Horford also expected to depart and cap space lingering just below the second apron, maintaining roster flexibility is the top goal for the summer.Also Read: Malik Beasley faces $2.25 million lawsuit from agency amid NBA gambling probe falloutIn the 2024–25 regular season, the Celtics posted a remarkable 61–21 record, which is a notable high point. Still, their loss to the Knicks in the East semifinals—exacerbated by Tatum’s injury—prompted a crucial reorganization of the championship team. Kornet leaving, although emotionally challenging, signifies the third departure from their championship foundation.