2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Luke Kornet: 2 years, $3.3 million (Chicago Bulls)
Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a two-year deal with the Chicago Bulls, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2019
The Chicago Bulls still have their room exception, but this is more than likely a veteran minimum contract worth $3.3 million over two years. In any case, while we’re not used to the Bulls making shrewd free agency moves, that’s exactly what Luke Kornet represents at this price.
In his second year with the New York Knicks, Kornet made the most of his limited burn, posting 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 17.0 minutes per game. While his rebounding left something to be seriously desired as a 7’1″ big, he also knocked down 36.3 percent of his 3-pointers, firing off 4.2 of them per game.
Kornet will turn 24 in a few weeks, but he’s still young by NBA standards and showed flashes in New York. Carving out minutes in a crowded Bulls frontcourt will be quite a challenge, but this is a decent pickup for the fringe of the roster by Chicago.
Grade: B+