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NBA free agency has been a zoo so far. The latest news comes out of New Orleans: Kevon Looney is leaving the Golden State Warriors to join the New Orleans Pelicans.
It’s the end of an era in Golden State. Looney, 29, has spent the last decade with the Warriors as a key piece on multiple championship teams. Never the flashiest player, his desire to do the dirty work endeared himself to fans. He will be most remembered for his trio of 20-rebound games against the Sacramento Kings in the 2023 playoffs. Warriors fans everywhere will be sad, and the statue must now be built.
From a roster perspective, this deal is too rich for the Warriors to match. Looney has been valuable, but this is an overpay with the way free agency has gone. The Warriors will be sad to see Looney go, but they weren’t going to overpay to retain him.
I do not understand this deal for the Pelicans. Last year, they drafted Yves Missi, a pure center who had a good rookie year. They traded up to get Derik Queen in the 2025 draft, who will see a lot of minutes at the five. Looney cannot play power forward, and is ostensibly the third-string center. That means one of two things: the Pelicans overpaid for a deep bench player, or will be playing a lot of guys out of position.
Looney is still a quality player who brings hard work and veteran championship experience. He would be an excellent fit for a rebuilding team. But I don’t understand using significant resources on Looney with the Pelicans trying to win now.
