Kevon Looney, Pelicans reportedly agree to two-year, $16M free-agent contract
It's the end of an era for the Warriors.
Kevon Looney has left the only NBA franchise he has known for the past decade, agreeing to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday, citing sources.
Looney, affectionately known by Dub Nation as 'Loon,' was selected No. 30 overall by Golden State in the 2015 NBA Draft and went on to become a fan favorite as a three-time champion with the Warriors.
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The 29-year-old center has dealt with various injuries throughout his 10-season career, from surgeries for hip and core muscle issues to a neuropathic condition that threatened his career — all the while pushing through to become Golden State's dependable Iron Man. Despite all the setbacks, Looney evolved into one of the Warriors' most reliable players and played in 290 consecutive games from March 20, 2021, to March 8, 2024.
Looney leaves the Warriors just one contest shy of 600 regular-season games with Golden State, averaging 5.0 points on 57.5-percent shooting from the field with 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.2 minutes across those 599 appearances.
The big man appeared in 89 NBA playoff games with the Warriors and started 27, most notably shutting down the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2022 Western Conference semifinals with 8.2 rebounds per game and providing stellar defense on superstars like James Harden and Anthony Davis early in Golden State's dynastic run.
When the 2024-25 NBA season ended, Looney said he already had preliminary discussions with the Warriors' front office about returning and felt optimistic that a deal would get done. But after a decade in this league, Looney knew that nothing is guaranteed.
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'But it's the NBA, things always change, especially when you don't win it all,' Looney said. 'I'm just ready for whatever.
'They're going to try to do whatever is best to make the team better. Hopefully I'm in those plans.'
Even though things didn't pan out between Golden State and Looney, when all is said and done, there is no Warriors dynasty without him. But now, he will continue his successful NBA career on a new team — and Dub Nation certainly hopes Loon's new fanbase appreciates him like they did.
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