When discussing the most underrated player on the Boston Celtics, Luke Kornet has emerged as a surprising yet deserving choice. While stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown often face scrutiny despite their success, and role players like Payton Pritchard and Derrick White receive some recognition, Kornet has largely flown under the radar.
According to Owen Phillips, who analyzed advanced metrics and Basketball-Reference page views, Kornet ranks as the most overlooked player relative to his performance. His impact on the court far exceeds the attention he receives, largely due to the nature of his contributions.
Kornet excels at setting precise screens, making intelligent reads, and protecting the rim without fouling—skills that don’t make for viral highlights but are crucial to Boston’s success. While he hasn’t been a major scoring threat this season, rarely hitting double digits in points, his efficiency as a finisher, elite rim protection, and strong rebounding instincts—particularly on missed three-pointers—make him an invaluable piece of the Celtics’ rotation.
Despite sometimes being a matchup-dependent player, Kornet’s effectiveness is well recognized within the team and among analysts. However, his low public profile is a missed opportunity for Celtics fans to celebrate his contributions. With free agency looming, this could be Kornet’s final season in Boston, as other teams seeking a reliable big man may outbid the Celtics for his services.
As the playoffs approach, Kornet’s role could become even more significant, giving fans one last chance to appreciate his underrated presence before he potentially moves on.