The buyout market could yet materialize further over the All-Star break, potentially giving the Golden State Warriors more options as they look to round out their 15-man roster for the final portion of the season.
Former Warriors center Kevon Looney is one who's been floated as a potential buyout candidate, but the franchise's trade for Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis last week should shut the door on any shock reunion idea.
Kristaps Porzingis trade should slam shut Kevon Looney reunion idea
Joey Akeley of Sports Illustrated recently outlined various options Golden State should hope becomes available on the buyout market, with Looney one of those given his complete lack of playing time at the New Orleans Pelicans.
"On the one hand, Looney probably isn't thrilled with the idea of returning to the Warriors after losing playing time to Quinten Post last year. On the other hand, Looney is barely playing at all with the Pelicans, and he'd likely get some run in the Bay if/when Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are out," Akeley wrote.
It wouldn't be a total shock to see Looney hit the market after a buyout, such is the contrast between himself and the rebuilding direction that the Pelicans are headed. After signing a two-year, $16 million contract in free agency, the 30-year-old has appeared in just 17 games for New Orleans, including only two since January 2 as the franchise priorizites the development of their younger players.
Given Looney's $8 million deal for next year is only a team option, the Pelicans could choose to move on and allow the 4x NBA champion the opportunity to join a playoff contender for the remainder of the season.
Yet even with Porzingis' injury issues, and Horford being unavailable for back-to-backs, it's difficult to see the Warriors having too much interest in adding a fourth center despite Looney's history with the franchise.
Even without the Porzingis trade, there's genuine question marks on Looney's ability to contribute to a playoff-contending team, and subsequently whether Golden State would have interest given they blatantly chose to move on from him last offseason.
With Porzingis, Horford, Quinten Post and the small-ball minutes of Draymond Green, the Warriors should have the center minutes covered, and therefore should be targeting a wing/forward type after trading away Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield in the Porzingis trade.
Perhaps Looney and the Warriors could reunite further down the track, but it's hard to see it happening now with only one roster spot available and with their current center options.