Latest news with #KevonLooney
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3 days ago
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Stephen Curry Reacts As Three-Time NBA Champion Kevon Looney Bids Farewell To Warriors
Stephen Curry Reacts As Three-Time NBA Champion Kevon Looney Bids Farewell To Warriors originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Warriors did not make any major additions to their roster this offseason so far, but they lost a pivotal piece of their dynasty run. Kevon Looney, the three-time NBA champion, was not extended by the Warriors and joined the Pelicans in free agency on a two-year, $16 million deal. After the trade became official on July 6th, Looney penned down a heartfelt letter to the Warriors organization, its fans, and the city of San Francisco. Seeing this letter, the Warriors' superstar Stephen Curry took to Instagram and penned a sincere message for his departing teammate. "Forever a legend, Toon!!!! 17 on the clock!" wrote the Warriors superstar. Looney was drafted by the Warriors before their historic 2015-16 season, right after winning the first championship of their dynasty run. In his message written for the Players' Tribune, Looney recalls how the Warriors' core of Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and their head coach, Steve Kerr, helped him feel comfortable and be his true self on the court. It wasn't by motivation, but rather showing him the crude, raw emotions that go behind the work that the Warriors put in during the practice. He claims he witnessed a screaming match between Kerr and Green, which helped him be himself with the team. "Steph and Klay and them, they like to say that I didn't talk to anyone for the first six months. And I dispute that for sure. But I will admit that I only really started being myself after I saw Coach Kerr and Draymond screaming at each other during that game at OKC when Steph hit the half-court buzzer-beater in OT." "Before that, there was no adversity. We would basically never lose, or really even come close to losing. There was nothing to get worked up about. No reasons to be fiery or passionate. And to me it was … weird." "It was like everything was too perfect, you know what I mean? And that made me uncomfortable. Because I knew full well that me? Some young kid from Milwaukee? I was far from perfect. So I was walking on eggshells. Basically stayed keeping quiet." "But when I saw Dray and Coach go at it that night? Saw them be human and show some raw emotion? Saw how much they cared, the fire? Everything kind of changed for me right then. That was the kind of thing I was used to with hoops. It was like….OK, I'm home." During his ten seasons with the Warriors, the 29-year-old Looney averaged 5.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 57.5% from the field. While he was in the nascent stages of his career in the first two championships, he was pivotal in the Warriors' 2022 championship run. The Warriors, however, seem to be nearing an implosion as they seem to be messing up their younger core while keeping on the aging veterans like Draymond Green, who do not have many good years left in the league. Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski are arguably the only promising young players left on this team, with Jonathan Kuminga on the verge of an exit. With no veteran center on the roster anymore, the Warriors will likely now rely even more on their sophomore center Quinten Post. Or they would likely move to their small-ball style with Green at the center position. The Warriors are reportedly looking at several options, like Al Horford, to find a veteran center for their team. But with limited options in free agency, will we finally see the Warriors make a trade this offseason? Or will they resort to veteran options like Horford? Let us know what you think about where the Warriors go from story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
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Kevon Looney Reveals The "Last Straw" Leading To His Exit From Warriors In The Offseason
Kevon Looney Reveals The "Last Straw" Leading To His Exit From Warriors In The Offseason originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Golden State Warriors have had a rocky start to their roster-building project this offseason. With Kevon Looney, a three-time champion with the team, headed over to the New Orleans Pelicans, the big man recently joined the "Warriors Plus Minus" podcast to shed more light on his decision to leave. While discussing his situation with the team leading up to his departure, he said: "These last few years, everything's been changing, everything's been kind of up and down. They are telling me late. My minutes' always up and down. I was like, "What's really going to happen?' I don't know how they view me, or how much they're going to offer. It can vary with the Warriors." "It varies between taxpayer mid-level to minimum, and I can't, like, it's a big difference. I can't wait on that, I want to control my destiny. That kind of made it easy because I know how they like to negotiate and how they like to do business." Looney's comments paint a very different picture regarding how the Warriors organization has been run. Given the uncertainties regarding his future, the 29-year-old simply exercised his right to choose the better prospect for himself. In addition to this, podcast host Tim Kawakami tried to imply that the Warriors' preference for Quinten Post may have played a role in cementing Looney's decision. But the big man quickly denied this and added: "I guess. I wouldn't say that. Quint is my guy," said Looney, "But it was anybody but me it seemed like at this point." While discussing smaller events that helped him come to terms with his decision, the big man tried to zero in on one situation when he said: "It was not one moment. Like, even this year, probably in the playoffs. We're going against Steven Adams. This is what I do. They're not giving me the chance to really let me do what I do. It's like, alright, y'all don't trust me. I thought y'all would trust me." Looney's revelation is a stark indication of how he felt like he had lost favor with the Warriors' organization. Although he had been clear in displaying his faith in head coach Steve Kerr, it is understandable why these events would have had an impact on his eventual decision. Regardless, the 29-year-old now finds himself in a rather interesting situation brewing in New Orleans, as he joins a former teammate, Jordan Poole, on a talented Pelicans roster. The big man's veteran talent and championship pedigree certainly add a competitive edge to this otherwise inexperienced team. With this, Looney might also see a resurgence in performance, especially after a season in which he averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds on 15.0 minutes played per game. The big man's departure also isn't surprising in some ways. With the Warriors clearing house this offseason, Looney was expected to be one of the assets that would be on the way out. This puts the Dubs in a particularly tight spot with regards to their big man rotation. With a lot of offseason activity left, Golden State will hope to make the right additions to its roster to remain story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
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Ex-Warriors Champion Gets Honest About Exit From Franchise
Ex-Warriors Champion Gets Honest About Exit From Franchise originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kevon Looney decided to leave the Bay Area for the first time in his career this offseason. The 29-year-old opted to pass on returning to the Golden State Warriors in favor of a new opportunity with the New Orleans Pelicans. The former champion is now dropping hints as to why. Advertisement In all honesty, his recent statement is less of a hint and more of a straightforward statement. Looney left little room for doubt regarding what caused him to pursue a frontcourt role with the Pelicans instead. Dec 6, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) guards against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. © Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images Looney described feeling hurt by the Warriors. A lack of trust became apparent to the veteran big man. "We're going up against Steven Adams—those are the matchups I thrive in," Looney said. "But I wasn't given the chance to do my job… Even in the playoffs, it felt like they didn't trust me, and I really thought I had earned that trust." To Looney's point, his playing time during the Warriors' 2025 postseason run was minimal. Despite Golden State's lack of prominent frontcourt options, in particular at center, the two-time champion was not featured much. Advertisement Looney averaged 10.0 minutes per game in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The ex-Warriors center posted 2.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in his 12 appearances for Golden State. New Orleans will offer Looney a chance to compete against Yves Missi and Derik Queen for playing time at the five. Depending on how comfortable the Pelicans are feeling with their younger options, the former Warrior may get his time to shine and build trust. Check out the Inside the Warriors homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
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Warriors share perfect Kevon Looney video tribute
The post Warriors share perfect Kevon Looney video tribute appeared first on ClutchPoints. Fans of the Golden State Warriors didn't hide their grief after longtime center Kevon Looney decided to move on and signed with the New Orleans Pelicans as a free agent. Advertisement Looney agreed to a two-year contract with the Pelicans worth $16 million. He will provide veteran leadership in the frontcourt, guiding young big men Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic, and Derik Queen. The 29-year-old Looney will definitely be missed in the Bay Area, where he spent his first 10 seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Warriors as the 30th overall pick in 2015. Over the years, he had become a fan favorite with his grit, tenacity, and professionalism. On X, the Warriors shared a video tribute for Looney—make sure you have tissues around—showing his milestones with the squad, highlighted by his three championships. It also included a narration from former general manager Bob Myers, who took a chance on Looney as a diamond in the rough. 'It doesn't matter where you're picked. It matters what you do from that day on or that evening on. So if you're the first pick, it doesn't mean you made it. If you're the 30th pick or the 60th pick, it doesn't mean you didn't,' said Myers. His teammates and coach Steve Kerr also had nothing but positive words for Looney, calling him the 'ultimate glue guy' and a 'special human being.' Warriors star Stephen Curry summarized Looney's contributions perfectly. Advertisement 'His voice, it matters when he speaks up, and he's as important to the fabric of our team culture as anybody,' said Curry. Aside from Looney's workhorse quality on the floor, he was also an integral part of the community in Golden State, especially with the kids. To some, his willingness to give back was his true value. The fact that the Warriors made a tribute video even before his return to Chase Center is a testament to how beloved Looney is in the Bay Area. Related: LeBron James, Stephen Curry's NSFW 2016 NBA Finals trash talk leaked Related: Warriors' Draymond Green denies NBA free agency, CBA rant is about Jonathan Kuminga
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
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Warriors star Stephen Curry's powerful reaction to Kevon Looney's farewell message
The post Warriors star Stephen Curry's powerful reaction to Kevon Looney's farewell message appeared first on ClutchPoints. Kevon Looney's time with the Golden State Warriors officially came to an end. And Stephen Curry was emotional to his longtime teammate go. Advertisement Looney has been with the Warriors since the team drafted him 30th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. He played crucial roles in helping the Warriors win two out of the three titles he earned throughout his 10 years there. Looney wrote a heartfelt farewell piece on The Player's Tribune on Sunday, leaving for the New Orleans Pelicans. The main message he left showed how proud he was to have accomplished with the franchise that got him into the NBA. 'Not every ending has gotta be a sad ending,' he wrote. 'I'm leaving the Bay with a huge smile on my face. Thank you for the ride.' Curry, who got to stand side-by-side with Looney throughout the past decade, reacted to his letter with a story post on Instagram. Advertisement 'Forever a legend Toon!!!! '17 on the clock!' Curry said. What's next for Stephen Curry, Warriors John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images It will be unfortunate for Stephen Curry and the Warriors to see one of their longtime players go in Kevon Looney. After 599 appearances, Looney averaged five points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He shot 57.5% from the field and 60.8% from the free-throw line. This past season saw Looney put up 4.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest after 76 contests. He shot 51.4% overall and 56.6% from the charity stripe. However, his playing time went down as he was unable to make a big impact throughout the postseason. Advertisement Looney will begin a new chapter with the Pelicans, while Curry and the Warriors adjust their frontcourt. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Gui Santos and Quinten Post will get their chances next season as Golden State will need someone to step up as the backup big. Related: The big takeaway from Warriors rookie Will Richard's Summer League debut Related: The move Golden State Warriors still must make in 2025 NBA free agency
