Center continues on B6 Looney still on team: 3year deal for $15 million is wish granted for Kerr
On multiple occasions last season, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr went out of his way to publicly lobby for the front office to bring back center Kevon Looney.
Kerr got his wish Monday afternoon when Looney agreed to a threeyear, $15 million deal with Golden State, league sources confirmed with The Chronicle.
Outside of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, Looney was the Warriors’ top freeagent priority. In the wake of Sunday’s signandtrade that sent Durant to Brooklyn and netted Golden State combo guard D’Angelo Russell, the Warriors faced heavy financial constraints, which raised concerns within the organization that they couldn’t afford Looney.
Over a 24hour period, Golden State was busy shedding salary to free up cap flexibility to
sign Looney. It traded Andre Iguodala and a 2024 firstround draft pick to Memphis for a $17.2 million trade exception, dealt Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham — both of whom were acquired in the Russell deal — to Minnesota, and opted not to match Jordan Bell’s offer sheet with the Timberwolves.
In coming days, the Warriors are expected to waive or trade Shaun Livingston. Only $2 million of the $7.7 million in Livingston’s contract for next season is currently guaranteed. The remaining $5.7 million — which Golden State would rather save — becomes guaranteed July 10.
Looney received interest from the Rockets, Bulls and Mavericks, among others, according to a league source. A sizable Warriors contingent met with Looney in Los Angeles on Sunday and made a simple pitch: By returning to Golden State, Looney could cement his status as a franchise cornerstone.
In a frontcourt defined by turnover and inconsistency, Looney has been a stabilizing force. His averages of 6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, a well as his 62.5% shooting clip, were career bests last season. According to NBA.com, the Warriors outscored teams by a teambest 11.0 net rating with Looney on the floor in the playoffs. That number plummeted to minus2.6 without him.
His ability to set picks, find open teammates and fill driving lanes has made him an offensive asset. On defense, Looney is adept at switching off ballscreens to guard multiple positions.
A firstround pick (30th overall) out of UCLA by the Warriors in 2015, Looney’s rookie season was marred by hip injuries that limited him to five games. He followed that by playing in 53 and 66 games during the Warriors’ backtoback title seasons, then 80 this season.
In April, Kerr told reporters, “I’m really, really hoping that we can keep (Looney) longterm, and we can give him the contract that he deserves so he can make some good money, and we can enjoy having him on our team for many years. That’s the plan.”
Little more than two months later, Looney is set to be a key player in this new era for Golden State.