The Golden State Warriors will have a fan favorite back again next season. Kevon Looney will exercise his player option and will return for the Warriors next season. This is good news as it will keep the bench depth and bring back a player who has been with the team since his rookie season in 2016.
Over the course of his career, Looney has provided good minutes off the bench and helps out tremendously on defense. This season in 61 games played, Looney averaged 4.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. The two-time NBA Champion has never been a starting-caliber center but has found his niche and made the most of it on the Warriors.
Looney has shot 56.6 percent in his six seasons with the Warriors. https://t.co/7tSF0s6WcC
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2021
The Warriors were unable to make the NBA Playoffs this season after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in tournament. Despite Steph Curry’s historic second half of the season and his tear through the month of April, the Warriors just couldn’t get it together in time.
With Looney confirmed back for next season Golden State can worry about getting their roster into next season healthy and at full capacity. Klay Thompson is still recovering and his return is highly anticipated for not just the GSW, but the NBA as a whole.
There aren’t many big men who give you what Looney does on defense and that is where he finds his value. Getting his team a handful of second-chance opportunities each game doesn’t hurt either. He fits right in with their small-ball game plans and has made a spot for himself on the roster. Reliable veterans aren’t easy to come by, and Looney is well on his way to becoming one. He may be a piece of the roster for years to come.
