Kevon Looney may be looking at a significant raise in free agency, but his first choice is to remain with the Warriors. In an interview on 95.7 The Game after Tuesday’s championship parade, the third-year center outlined his approach to this summer.
“This is my first time experiencing it, so I’m just trying to listen to people around me,” Looney said. “I’ve got some great vets on this team to talk to that have been through this situation that I’m going to lean on and my agents and stuff like that and do what’s best for me. But this has been a great team for me. I have a chance to play on this team and win a championship every year. So that’s something that’s hard to turn down. [It’s] the team that drafted me. So, they’ve all got a special place in my heart. So it’s going to be tough this summer. Whatever happens happens and I’m just going to do what’s best.”
The Warriors could have had Looney under contract for $2.3MM next season, but they decided in October not to pick up his option. A first-round pick in 2015, he was coming off two injury-plagued seasons and a pair of hip surgeries and was at the back of a big-man rotation that included several veterans and newly drafted Jordan Bell.
Looney raised his value by playing 66 games and averaging 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per night during the regular season. He saw more court time than any other Golden State center in the playoffs.
“Our financial commitments [next year and beyond] are high,” GM Bob Myers said recently in explaining the choice to decline Looney’s option.“That factored in. Had we been in a different financial situation in the aggregate, maybe we make a different decision.”
The Warriors face harsh tax penalties for next season and have to be careful about signing anyone for more than a minimum salary. Coach Steve Kerr indicated roster changes are likely that could affect veterans such as Zaza Pachulia and David West.
If someone is willing to pay him more than that 1.1M and change… for mutliple years… go for it. Financial security #1. You’re not a pivotal piece on this roster, like no one is going to really remember him on the roster in 10 or 15 years. Who was the 8th or 9th guy off the bench for the Bulls? Lakers? We only remember Madsen bc he wore mom jeans at the parade and was so bad at dancing.
Agree. He’s got already a couple of rings… so go for the best for yourself, you need to earn your life earnings in a few years go were the $ are, & you might even have a chance to play more & become a better player even.
Someone should explain to him that luxury tax really couldn’t have been GS’s reason for not exercising his 3rd year option. It’s barely more than a minimum contract, and they need to fill out the roster to at least 13 by rule.
Watching Loney these past couple years have been painful. Peace out! Hope you go to Houston or LA. Hope we get to watch you miss easy rebounds and baskets somewhere else.
Um, why give someone who can’t shoot, is somewhat sluggish, and has already had 2! hip surgeries a fat contract? I’d sooner roll the dice on a player like Aron Baynes or Lucas Nogueira.
It’s clear you haven’t watched him play. He was playing elite defense throughout the playoffs. You don’t know he can’t shoot – ever heard the term ‘role player’?… Guy comes in, coach says, ‘I know you were the best player in your state and averaged 35ppg, but here, you’re gonna set screens and rebound. Cool?’