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Warriors Change Minds and Re-Sign Kevon Looney After Breakout Year

By Andrew Ites

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After initially declining his option, the Warriors convinced Kevon Looney to re-sign in Golden State to a minimum contract.

The Warriors and Kevon Looney have been on a roller coaster ride ever since they drafted him with the 30th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Looney came into the league with a checkered injury history, but his talent was undeniable so Golden State took a chance on him with a late first round pick.

Looney only played 21 total minutes as a rookie, but the Warriors picked up the option for the second year on his rookie contract ahead of the 2016 season.

Looney played in 53 games during his second NBA season, but he only played 8.4 minutes per game and he didn’t show the potential that the Warriors thought he had when they drafted him.

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Ahead of this past season, Golden State declined the next option on Looney’s contract that would’ve allowed the Warriors to keep him through the 2018-19 season. That made Looney an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and Golden State didn’t know if they’d have the resources to retain him.

Looney’s strong postseason performance, especially on the defensive end, encouraged the Warriors to keep him in Golden State even after they initially declined the option on his contract.

Before signing DeMarcus Cousins, the Warriors didn’t have a true center on their roster outside of Damian Jones.

After re-signing Looney, Golden State’s roster of bigs has a diverse set of skills. Draymond Green, Jordan Bell, and Looney have all showed the ability to switch on defense, which is a major tenant of the Warriors’ defensive system.

Next: How Will DeMarcus Cousins Fit in Golden State?

Looney’s breakout year landed him a one-year contract extension at the minimum on the best team in the league, and he could be in line for an even bigger deal next offseason.

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