July 7: The Pelicans have put out a press release formally announcing their deal with Looney.
“Kevon Looney is an elite professional with a proven championship pedigree,” Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement. “He is a warrior in the trenches and brings an incredible work ethic along with invaluable experience, toughness, and selfless leadership to our locker room. His commitment to doing the little things that win games embodies our team values, and we’re excited to welcome him to New Orleans.”
Looney’s new contract includes a second-year team option, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
June 30: Kevon Looney‘s lengthy stay with the Warriors is ending. The veteran big man has agreed to a two-year, $16MM contract with the Pelicans, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets.
Looney joins a frontcourt that includes Yves Missi, late lottery pick Derik Queen, Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones, among others.
Looney is noted for his defensive work and durability. He has appeared in at least 74 games over the past four seasons, including 76 this past season.
He was on the second unit much of the season, as his minutes were cut to 15 per game while Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post saw their roles expand. Looney averaged 4.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Looney’s Pelicans debut will be his 600th career regular season appearances. He played a major role in Golden State’s run to the NBA championship in 2018 and 2022. He’s been on the Warriors’ roster since he was a late first-round pick in 2015.
The Pelicans will use a portion of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Looney. The signing will hard-cap the team at the first tax apron.
Good for Loon. He deserves it. The Warriors weren’t giving him more than the minimum.
And they weren’t going to give him 2 years. Happy for him and he will always be a Warrior.
Looney has been great, and has 3 championship rings for his contributions to the Warriors. But the Warriors deeply need a big man who can defend AND score. So, I’m not surprised they didn’t keep Looney.
Joe Dumars is DUUUMMBBB…
Great to see Loon get paid. This is equal to like 40% of his career earnings. I thought for sure he was coming back to GSW on a min to be a good bench guy. I guess it pays more to be a high character vet that isnt very productive than I thought.
Chap, I agree 100%.
To get overpaid by that amount, I’m guessing there was a competitive offer. I’m betting the W’s offered him something way lower, and Looney told the Pels they’d have to beat that by a lot.
They do need a C that isnt as raw as Post/TJD now
I didn’t think he’d get that much. But, it seems like good landing spot for him. He seems like a future coach. He’s got a couple of young guys to work with. Brate Loon!
Looney will always be a Warriors Legend!!!
Expensive asst coach for Missi and Queen but weirdly may be worth it
Looney was really close to the coach that developed Jokic. Loons rebounding went up because it. So, he just might be really good for Missi and Queen.
Had a bad year last year but teh year before he was very good. Sad to see him leave but the good part he goes to a team that only can get better. Looney is a work horse and insurance when Williams goes down.
Lopez signs for 18m with Clippers, so not much less…
I’ll miss him. He was a consummate pro, always ready to play.
Pointless signing for the Pelicans.
Joe Dumars will be exposed again.
Rumors… Herb to Orlando for Wendell Carter Jr and Tristan DaSilva. Is this rumor true? Does anybody know if this is true?
So all these teams are signing third centers who could be starters with the Warriors.
What are the Warriors doing? Losing their starting center.
They better get their s-yit together quick.
Thank you, Looney.
Keep dreaming big, Dubs fans. It’s still June.
There’s still a few huge things that are possible out there.
Are the Warriors looking to bring in a huge name?
Giannis situation is unsettled, but he probably stays. LeBron situation is unsettled, but he also probably stays.
DeAndre Ayton is out there and Al Horford is out there. But a lot of these signings in the last couple of hours are fringe guys. Brooke Lopez, Clint Capella, Luke Kornet.
Perhaps the Warriors are stirring up a big deal with big names involved?
Also seems like Jonathan Kuminga has to be dealt with. Will he sign elsewhere and the Warriors match? Or will the Warriors just sign him and keep him for now and go from there?
There’s still a few huge things that are possible out there.
——-GIANNIS
Are the Warriors looking to bring in a huge name?
———GIANNIS
Giannis situation is unsettled, but he probably stays. LeBron situation is unsettled, but he also probably stays.
———Giannis DOESN’T stay
DeAndre Ayton is out there and Al Horford is out there. But a lot of these signings in the last couple of hours are fringe guys. Brooke Lopez, Clint Capella, Luke Kornet.
———Horford hops on board for the vet minimum after seeing Dubs trade for……..GIANNIS. One more chip for you, Al – potentially two if you wanna play out your career in the manner Iggy elected
Perhaps the Warriors are stirring up a big deal with big names involved?
———GIANNIS, Kuminga, potentially Draymond
Also seems like Jonathan Kuminga has to be dealt with. Will he sign elsewhere and the Warriors match?
——-He signs with Bucks. Warriors match, then TRADE HIM to Bucks – and get a third team involved
Or will the Warriors just sign him and keep him for now and go from there?
——I’d put that happening at under 10% probability
They aren’t going to get much for Kuminga in a sign-and-trade. Heild’s contract is only guaranteed for $3 million for 26-27. Kind of an expiring contract. If they sign Kuminga for $25, that gives them $30-$35 at the trade deadline. They could find a vet to keep them in the hunt until then, and them make a splash.
You still gotta figure Dubs could do something big SOON if they wanted to, assuming the right name suddenly became available. I mean…..EVERYONE and ANYONE on the Dubs, aside from The Chef, could be dangled in a MAJOR blockbuster trade proposal, right?
Glad to see him get paid but he deserves better :/
Thank you, Kevon Looney 💔
Once a Warrior, always a Warrior 🌉
I’d leave the sinking GS ship too if I was him and his declining usage.