Looney a full participant at Warriors minicamp

and has been a full participant in minicamp, which opened Wednesday after a 48-hour quarantine period and concludes Oct. 6.

A bounce-back season for Looney would be a major development for the Warriors, especially if he can resemble the player head coach Steve Kerr had regularly referred to as a franchise building block.

In the first year of the three-year, $15 million contract he signed last summer, Looney averaged just 3.4 points on 36.7% shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.1 minutes per game, raising concerns about his long-term viability. But if he stays healthy and builds on a strong minicamp, he should have a role next season.

Since drafting him with the 30th pick in 2015, the Warriors have come to appreciate Looney’s hustle, rebounding and ability to switch on defense. A healthy Looney in the center rotation would help the Warriors improve a defense that finished last season with the fifth-worst defensive rating in the league.

Kerr has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far. “He’s made great strides in the offseason,” he said this week. “It was really exciting to see him ready to roll right from the beginning.”

Along with Looney and Marquese Chriss, who emerged as the starting center last season, the Warriors are expected to add at least one more player this offseason to its stable of centers. There will be competition for minutes at the position, and a healthy Looney will have the opportunity to earn them.

“Coming into this camp, I got a lot of confidence,” said Looney, who is running the court well and participating in drills and scrimmages. “I’m able to do everything, wake up the next day and not be sore, not be in pain. This camp has really been big for me to see where I’m at. That’s why I’ve been so excited.”