The Golden State Warriors will face the Los Angeles Lakers in their second preseason game on Tuesday, with the visitors coming in on the second night of a back-to-back after an impressive 127-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
The Lakers, however, are already playing a dangerous game with Kevon Looney, having started the former Warrior big man against the Kings due to a very minor finger injury for notable offseason addition Walker Kessler.
Lakers already playing dangerous Kevon Looney game
Kessler jammed his finger in practice, causing the former Utah Jazz center to miss Monday’s game. After being acquired in a blockbuster sign-and-trade from the Jazz in the summer, Kessler is still expected to suit up at some point in preseason, and there’s no doubt at this stage over his availability for the regular season opener against the Warriors later in the month.
But this already serves as a reminder that any Kessler absence will force JJ Redick to start Looney whose place as a legitimate rotation option in the league, let alone starter, has been under question over the past 18 months, and more recently following an underwhelming year with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Looney was good on Monday against the Kings, proving his value as a screen-setter while finishing with two points, nine rebounds and three assists. More importantly, the three-time champion was a +13 in his less than 18 minutes as the Lakers built a 26-point half-time lead.
But this was one preseason game against the lowly Kings, and the thought of Looney having to step into a prominent role whenever Kessler is out is one that should still terrify fans of the Purple and Gold. After all, Looney played only 21 games for a bad Pelicans team and was largely out of their rotation last season.
Lakers failed to add another center after Kessler and Looney
The Looney experience may have started well for the Lakers on Monday, but Warrior fans will know that the pacific rival could wind up regretting not adding another center after their sign-and-trade for Kessler, and signing Looney to a minimum contract.
Redick may end up playing Sandro Mamukelashvili as a small-ball five for significant minutes off the bench. While that’s a legitimate and even viable option, it doesn’t address the games Kessler will inevitably miss after playing only five games before season-ending surgery with the Jazz last season.
Much like the Warriors with their combination of Kristaps Porzingis (who’s already dealing with another health concern) and a 40-year-old Al Horford, the Lakers are taking a risk that could see them fail to take the necessary leap they’re chasing if things don’t pan out.
Add us as a preferred source on Google