Report: Warriors Had ‘Level Of Interest’ In Former Celtics Center

Al Horford made his Golden State Warriors debut on Tuesday night, recording five points and five rebounds across 20 minutes in the team’s season-opening win vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.

Prior to Horford signing his much-delayed contract with Golden State this offseason, however, the Warriors were reportedly eyeing another former Boston Celtics big man.

According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Golden State had a “level of interest” in Luke Kornet before the center eventually signed with the San Antonio Spurs.

Kornet inked a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs in early July.

“(Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy) had to make semi-frequent calls to reassure (Horford) of the sequencing of the plan, but Horford, team sources said, was their ‘absolute 1A’ target and no other free agent was in his vicinity,” Slater wrote. “They also held a level of interest in Luke Kornet, sources said, but he signed with San Antonio out of their price range.”

President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens said during Celtics Media Day in September that the team made an effort to re-sign both centers before they left the organization, but Boston’s financial situation made things tricky.

Kornet made his San Antonio debut on Wednesday, posting two points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 16 minutes in the team’s season-opening win vs. the Dallas Mavericks.