NBA Champion Free Agent Looking to Sign With Warriors
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An impending unrestricted free agent is hoping to remain with the Golden State Warriors this summer.
Would it behoove the team, which fell in a fast five-game second round Western Conference playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, to bring that free agent back, however?
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Per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, longtime Warriors center Kevon Looney revealed that he, at least, is gunning for a new Golden State contract in the offseason.
Kevon Looney, who will be a free agent, wants to return: "I hope the feeling is mutual... they expressed (they want him to return) but it's the NBA. There's a lot of time until free agency starts. Let's see what happens." — Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 15, 2025
"I hope the feeling is mutual," Looney said. "They expressed (interest in a reunion) but it's the NBA. There's a lot of time until free agency starts. Let's see what happens."
Looney was an inconsistent contributor for Golden State this season. Desperate Steve Kerr frequently toggled his non-Draymond Green big men as late as the second round of the playoffs in a futile effort to contain the giants of the Minnesota Timberwolves around the rim.
A detail of the Golden State Warriors uniform against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 06, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. The Warriors are looking abroad to flesh out their roster.
A detail of the Golden State Warriors uniform against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 06, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. The Warriors are looking abroad to flesh out their roster.Golden State is no doubt aware it needs to upgrade its center position during the 2025 offseason if it hopes to truly compete for the fifth championship of point guard Stephen Curry and power forward/center Draymond Green's Hall of Fame careers, and it may look to bring aboard another, more decorated (individually) veteran close to home.
Per Bobby Marks of ESPN, current Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez could be worth a look for the Warriors.
Bobby Marks on the Warriors:
"I think the one name to keep an eye on regarding that center position is Brook Lopez" pic.twitter.com/OyjxdjaTnr — Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 15, 2025
"Stanford grad, makes his home in Fresno," Marks said of Lopez. "What is the number on a Brook Lopez type-contract if you can get him on a one-year flier here to patch up that center position?"
During the regular season, at least, Lopez looked pretty formidable for the 48-34 Bucks. In 80 healthy regular season contests, the 7-foot-1 vet posted averages of 13.0 points on .509/.373/.826 shooting splits, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.8 assists and 0.6 steals a night.
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"Because the center market is thin," Marks added. "When you look at Myles Turner, you're probably not going to be able to afford him. The next-best guy out there is Brook Lopez.
Turner, the Indiana Pacers' standout 3-and-D center, would be a perfect cure for what ails the Warriors around the rim — but, as Marks points out, Turner seems likely to have played himself into an incredibly lucrative new free agent deal this summer.
At 37, Lopez was utterly exposed by Turner during the Bucks' first round playoff encounter with Indiana. The former two-time All-Defensive appeared to at times be moving in concrete against the 29-year-old Turner, who was far more mobile. Lopez also struggled to contain his charges at the rack, at least at the level he had during the Bucks' run to the 2021 championship.
Still, Lopez remains a solid option — although he'd be the Warriors' fourth starter in his mid-30s next season, alongside 37-year-old Curry, 35-year-old Jimmy Butler, and 34-year-old Green. That's sub-optimal for a team trying to compete against a young, deep West.
More Golden State Warriors News:
Warriors Reportedly Not Expected to Go After Giannis Antetokounmpo
Steph Curry Offers Curious Comment After Warriors Playoff Exit
Warriors' Series Loss to Timberwolves Sets Unfortunate Steve Kerr History
Former Heat Star Calls Out Jimmy Butler After Warriors Playoff Exit
For more Golden State Warriors and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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