Golden State Warriors in Contract Years: Kevon Looney
By Andrew Ites
The Golden State Warriors gave Kevon Looney a one-year extension this offseason, but is he a part of the organization’s long-term plan?
Entering last season, it looked like Kevon Looney and the Golden State Warriors were going to part ways after a disappointing first couple of NBA seasons.
The team passed on a couple of opportunities to extend his rookie contract and he was set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
However, Looney took a huge leap in year three on both ends of the floor. He even made five starts in the playoffs and looked versatile on the defensive end against a couple of the league’s best offenses.
Looney’s performance earned him a one-year, $1.57 million deal that will keep him in Golden State for the 2018-19 season as he continues to develop into a solid modern center.
The center position is wide open in the Warriors’ lineup while DeMarcus Cousins rehabs an injured Achilles.
More from Blue Man Hoop
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee have gone elsewhere in free agency, and David West is considering retirement.
That available playing time at center will give Kevon Looney the opportunity to show that he is the center of the future in Golden State.
Looney is entering his fourth NBA season, but he is still just 22 years old, which is a year younger than both Jordan Bell and Damian Jones.
Looney’s offensive ceiling seems fairly low as he averaged just 4 points and 0.6 assists in 13.8 minutes per game last season. However, he blocked 0.8 shots per game last year and he looked extremely solid switching onto some of the league’s best isolation players during the Western Conference Finals.
dark. Next. Warriors 15 Best Draft Picks of All-Time
This is an obvious “prove it” year where Looney needs to show that he can be consistent all season long and improve his offensive game. If he can do that this season, he could be in line for a long-term contract extension.
Here’s our analysis of the other Warriors contract situations: