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Warriors free agency: Teams unlikely to pry Kevon Looney from Dubs

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors speaks to the media after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors speaks to the media after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors had an eight-man rotation in the NBA Finals, and three of those key players are up for a new contract. Losing any of three would sting although the Warriors do have up-and-coming prospects soon to take over at most positions.

Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr. and Kevon Looney are the vital role players that could find themselves testing the market this offseason, and all three also proved their value throughout the playoffs.

The Golden State Warriors, especially with Mike Brown in Sacramento, could see teams testing the loyalty of center Kevon Looney. It hasn’t been working.

Porter Jr. and Payton II were both making under $3 million. Porter Jr. was on the veteran’s minimum. Both ended up showing a value far greater than what Golden State had them contracted for and could find a new home this offseason.

As for the third, Looney, he’s one of the few players not on a minimum-value contract or rookie deal. Looney inked a three-year, $15 million contract at the end of the 2018-2019 season, one which ended in an NBA Finals loss for Golden State.

He proved his value in the 2019 postseason, oftentimes finding himself matched up with Rockets’ guard James Harden. Looney again played his best basketball in the postseason of a contract year, also showing his unselfishness and team-first mentality when taken out of the starting lineup.

Marc Stein in his subscription-required substack went into detail on how teams aren’t feeling confident in their ability to pry Looney away. Looney was incredibly impactful in several close-out games for the Warriors.

His ability to tame the Grizzlies on the boards was huge.

He had a 22-rebound game to close them out and avoid a difficult Game 7 in Memphis. Looney averaged 6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game during the regular season. 2.5 of those 7.3 came on the offensive glass. He also shot 57% from the field.

During the Warriors’ final 12 playoff games, he averaged 7.4 points but an impressive 10 rebounds and shot 64% from the field. Looney stepped up when they needed him to, and he’ll certainly be looking at a contract of equal value.

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What Looney actually is offered isn’t quite known, but he is expected to stick around in the Bay Area which is a huge positive for the Warriors as they near the league’s free agency period commencing.

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