3 Golden State Warriors who should earn new contracts in 2022

Dec 20, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) with forward Otto Porter Jr. (32) after scoring a basket and foul against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) with forward Otto Porter Jr. (32) after scoring a basket and foul against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Warriors player who should get new contract: Kevon Looney

Another player that is more than deserving of a new contract is center Kevon Looney. Looney has played and started every game for the Warriors which has been huge for the relatively injury-prone center.

Looney signed a 3-year, $15 million deal following an outstanding postseason in which he was instrumental in helping the Warriors defense tame then-Rockets guard James Harden. That was in 2019.

That said, Looney does many of the things that don’t necessarily show much on box scores.

He sets incredible screens and plays terrific defense on smaller guards. He is also averaging 6.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. 2.7 of those rebounds per game come on the offensive glass which is huge for the Warriors’ extra chance opportunities.

Looney may still not see a big-money contract, especially with James Wiseman set to make over $9 million next season. The Warriors won’t have much money to spare, but another 3-year, $15 million deal should be something both parties find advantageous.

The Warriors are 7.2 points per 100 possessions better than their opponents with Looney on the court. He’s been a rock for this championship-contending team and is certainly worth being paid like one.