The Luka Factor: Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Looney sees a direct parallel between screening for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson during his Warriors tenure and now setting screens for Dončić and Reaves in Los Angeles.
Backup Center Need Filled: Looney will serve as the backup to Walker Kessler, whom the Lakers acquired after trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards. Last year's backup, Jaxson Hayes, signed a two-year, $12M deal with Utah.
Injury Concerns: Looney played just 21 games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans due to a left knee injury, raising questions about his durability. However, he played at least 74 games in each of the four previous seasons, including two full 82-game campaigns.
Why This Matters: With Dončić entering his prime and the Lakers holding championship aspirations, adding a veteran with deep playoff experience who understands his role is critical. Looney brings three championship rings and knows exactly what it takes to win in high-leverage situations.
The Lakers' offseason has been anything but quiet. After acquiring Walker Kessler to anchor the starting center position, general manager Rob Pelinka turned his attention to the backup spot. Looney — who spent nine seasons with the Golden State Warriors dynasty — emerged as the prime candidate.
Why Looney Chose Los Angeles
According to McMenamin, a source close to Looney said: *"He saw a parallel between some of the half-court sets that they're [Lakers] going to run. The way he can free up Luka and AR the same way he freed up Klay and Steph with screens."* This screening specialist role is exactly where Looney has historically excelled.
The Injury Question
Looney's 2025-26 season with the Pelicans was derailed by a left knee injury, limiting him to 21 games on a team that won just 26 contests. Critics question whether a 30-year-old center who looked "drained and tired" on a lottery team can handle the rigors of a deep Lakers playoff run. However, his career track record — playing 74+ games in four consecutive seasons — suggests last year may have been an outlier.
Lakers' Roster Puzzle
Looney occupies the 14th roster spot. Per McMenamin, the Lakers view the 15th spot as "a very important piece" and are aggressively pursuing a difference-maker like Jonathan Kuminga. They're also reportedly shopping Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht along with limited draft assets to complete the roster.
Historical Context
At his peak with Golden State (2019-2023), Looney was one of the league's most durable and effective screen-setters and offensive rebounders. He averaged 7.3 rebounds in the 2022 playoffs and was instrumental in the Warriors' 2022 championship run. The question is whether that version of Looney still exists after a year of injury struggles in New Orleans.
How much is Kevon Looney's contract with the Lakers?
One year, $3.9 million — the minimum veteran deal, filling the 14th roster spot.
Why did Looney choose the Lakers over the Knicks and Celtics?
He reportedly sees a clear opportunity to thrive screening for Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, similar to his role screening for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State.
What is Looney's career stat line?
4.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 17 minutes per game, with a 57% field goal percentage.
Is Looney injury-prone?
Historically, no. He played 74+ games in four straight seasons (including two full 82-game seasons). However, he missed significant time last season due to a left knee injury, playing only 21 games.
How to Prepare: Watch Looney's early-season minutes closely. If he stays healthy and replicates his Warriors-era screening and rebounding, the Lakers' half-court offense becomes significantly more dangerous. If injuries persist, expect the Lakers to make a trade before the deadline.
Who This Affects Most: Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves stand to benefit most. Looney's elite screen-setting creates space for pull-up threes and driving lanes. Walker Kessler also benefits — he now has a proven veteran backing him up, reducing pressure on his return from a torn labrum.
Key Takeaway: The Lakers are betting that Looney's championship pedigree and familiarity with a screening role will outweigh last season's injury struggles. At $3.9M, it's a low-risk, high-reward gamble for a roster with championship-or-bust expectations.
Do you think Kevon Looney can stay healthy enough to be a difference-maker for the Lakers' title push? Will the Luka-Looney pick-and-roll be as effective as the Curry-Looney connection?
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