Warriors' Steve Kerr Directly Addresses Departure of NBA Champion
While the core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler will remain together for at least another year, the Golden State Warriors still face a big roster gap at center.
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This need grew exponentially with the recent loss of Kevon Looney, who officially signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
Shortly after, the Warriors shared a farewell video for Looney on X with coach Steve Kerr paying tribute to longtime big man.
"Hey Loon, just wanna say thank you," said Kerr. "This is a tough one. Ten years, it's just been an amazing experience for me to coach you. Just your professionalism, your dignity, your class, the way you handle yourself, the way you mentor your young teammates. And of course, the championship contributions that you've made year after year.
"So thank you for everything you've done for me, for our staff, for our team, for the Bay. You are the absolute best, Loon."
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Following a standout freshman year at UCLA, Looney fell to the 30th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft after concerns surfaced in the aftermath of the hip surgery he had before the 2014-15 season.
Despite initial concerns, Looney quickly emerged into a reliable role player, delivering big moments during critical playoff matchups, including a 2022 playoff run in which he started in 13 of 22 games with averages of 5.8 points and 7.6 rebounds en route to his third NBA title.
Kevon Looney won three championships with the Golden State Warriors.Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Looney's departure closes a 10-year chapter that began in 2015. With over 599 regular‑season and 89 playoff games, he helped power the Warriors in three NBA championship runs.
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Salary‑cap constraints ultimately drove Looney's departure and left space for potential veteran additions like Al Horford.
The move also frees up mid‑level exception space as the Warriors recalibrate around their core.
Related: Dennis Schroder Sends 3-Word Message After Joining Sacramento Kings
Related: Rockets Release NBA Veteran Days After Kevin Durant Trade
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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