According to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors will likely release big man Kevon Looney this offseason. Looney has just one year remaining on his contract. Although he has a salary of $8 million, Evan Sidery of Forbes notes that only $3 million is guaranteed in Looney’s contract.
Kevon Looney will likely be released by the Warriors to save money on their tax bill, per @timkawakami (https://t.co/NkncufZeZ0).
Only $3 million of Looney’s $8 million salary is guaranteed until it fully locks in on June 24.
If Looney is released, expect plenty of interest. pic.twitter.com/WDUWojDAAp
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 10, 2024
The 28-year-old has spent his entire nine-year NBA career with the Warriors. With the team, he won three championships. This includes the 2022 run when he started 13 of the team’s 22 playoff games this postseason. In his career so far, Looney averages 5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
Golden State Warriors Moving On From 3x Champion?
Kevon Looney Acknowledged a Potential Warriors Exit
Recently, Looney spoke about the possibility of the Warriors moving on from him this summer. Although he said he has enjoyed his time in Golden State, Looney made it clear he knew staying in one place his entire career is “not realistic.”
“The ball isn’t in my court,” Looney said. “I don’t have full control over my destiny, so I kind of have to play the waiting game, control what I can control. I’ve been here my whole career. I don’t know nothing else. You always want to finish what you started and be somewhere for your whole career, but I’ve been in this business long enough to know that’s not realistic. I’m preparing myself for whatever. My family’s out here, the Bay’s been great to me. They treat me like family, I grew up here. “I haven’t really thought about it too far. I’m trying to see what they’re going to do first before I push the envelope and see what I want to do.”
Last season was one of Looney’s most uneventful seasons in his career so far. The big man started just 36 games, his lowest since the 2020-21 season. On the year, Looney averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. All of these numbers are relatively big dropoffs from his career year in 2023. The season before, Looney started 70 games and played 82. The Wisconsin native averaged 7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, all career-highs. Additionally, in 2022-23, Looney finished eighth in the voting for the Most Improved Player Award.
What Kevon Looney Brings to the Table
On the court, Looney is a versatile big man who can play power forward and center. He is a tenacious and tough player who plays physically. Additionally, he is a good rebounder and is a good playmaker for his position. Though he has mostly been a backup his entire career, Looney can provide solid starts as well. However, his biggest appeal might be his championship experience. In addition to his three championships, Looney has five NBA Finals appearances under his belt. Assuming the Warriors do move on from him, it would not be a surprise for Looney to be a highly desired player this offseason.
