Latest news with #KevonLooney
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors Fan Favorite Pens Heartfelt Goodbye After 10 Seasons
Warriors Fan Favorite Pens Heartfelt Goodbye After 10 Seasons originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kevon Looney's 10-year journey with the Golden State Warriors has come to an end. The longtime fan favorite and steady presence in the paint signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Advertisement Looney, a former first-round pick by the Warriors in 2015 after one season at UCLA, played a crucial role in Golden State's dynasty run. Though never a top scorer, his consistency, rebounding and durability helped the team win three NBA titles. In a heartfelt letter published in "The Player's Tribune," Looney reflected on his time in the Bay Area, thanking fans, teammates and the organization. One message stood out: 'Even though I'm going somewhere else now, I can tell you for sure that everyone out here is still gonna be family to me forever. I'm Bay Area for life, no matter where I go.' He closed with a genuine farewell to the Warriors community: Advertisement 'Ten amazing years. It's been one hell of a ride! Not every ending has gotta be a sad ending. I'm leaving the Bay with a huge smile on my face. Thank you for the ride." Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) ends decade stay at the Bay. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Looney was never the flashiest player, but his impact was undeniable. Known for doing the dirty work, he averaged 5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over his Warriors career. His best statistical season came in 2022-23 when he posted 7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He was also impressively durable, playing in all 82 games in back-to-back seasons and appearing in 150 of 164 possible regular-season games over the last two years. Advertisement In the playoffs, Looney made 89 appearances and started in 27 games. His most productive postseason came in 2018-19, when he averaged 7.1 points over 21 games. Now with a new Western Conference team, Looney's departure marks the end of an era for a Warriors team that valued chemistry, toughness and heart. Golden State will feel his absence. Related: Michael Jordan's Son Sends Quiet Message to LeBron James on Saturday Related: Fresh Intel Confirms Knicks' Stance on Hiring Dawn Staley This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kevon Looney called Steph Curry, Draymond Green before Warriors departure
Kevon Looney called Steph Curry, Draymond Green before Warriors departure originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Kevon Looney's heartfelt Warriors goodbye surely left many a teary eye in Dub Nation. Advertisement On June 30, the Bay Area fan favorite reportedly agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency. After 10 seasons and three NBA titles with Golden State, the veteran big man shared how he broke the news to longtime teammates Steph Curry and Draymond Green in a Players' Tribune article published Sunday. And though Looney clearly means this as a happy goodbye, it's hard not to get emotional reading this conclusion to his open letter: And so, with that, I'll leave you with what me, Steph, and Draymond said to each other when I called them last week to break the news, Looney wrote. Advertisement Those were my first two calls. Those guys, they've been my big brothers for the past 10 years — showing me the ropes, guiding me, helping me to grow up. I relied on those two so much throughout my time as a Warrior. And especially when I first came into the league, I needed that guidance, that wisdom, the friendship. I'm not a big crier, but calling to tell them I'm heading somewhere else was pretty emotional for me, just to be real with you. It was like, I don't know … I felt those conversations in my heart. Since being selected No. 30 overall out of UCLA in the 2016 NBA Draft, Looney has been a model of consistency in Golden State, highlighted by his streak of 290 consecutive games played from 2021-24. I hope they know how grateful I am. How thankful. I hope you all know. Truly. Everyone in the Bay, and Warriors fans around the world. Advertisement Because these past 10 years have been more than I ever could have dreamed of. So, yeah, before we hung up those phones, it was like…. 'What a journey we all went on together!' 'Ten amazing years.' 'It's been one hell of a ride!' Not every ending has gotta be a sad ending. I'm leaving the Bay with a huge smile on my face. Thank you for the ride. Of course, Dub Nation is just as thankful for the contributions of the ever-underrated Looney, who, despite not putting up extraordinary numbers throughout his tenure, undoubtedly was a vital piece of the Warriors dynasty. Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Kevon Looney walks down memory lane recalling his favorite moment after a decade with Golden State Warriors
Former Golden State Warriors player Kevon Looney has reportedly signed a two-year contract worth $16 million with the New Orleans Pelicans. This is the end of an era for the Warriors as they have lost their backbone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On July 6th, the NBA legend expressed his heartfelt goodbye, leaving all the fans in tears. While delivering his goodbye speech, he paused for a moment to recall one of his favorite moments in the past 10 years with the Warriors. His absence will be significantly felt by the team and especially among his peers. However, this is not the end. Kevon Looney will return strong, even if for a different team. Kevon Looney shares his treasured memory with Golden State Warriors The backbone of the team for almost 10 years now, Kevon Looney, reminisced about his all-time favorite memory while playing for the Golden State Warriors. On Sunday, the NBA legend penned down a heartwarming letter in The Players' Tribune. The letter was for his beloved team, with whom he had played for the last 10 years. A team where he committed for most of his career. 'Throughout my 10 years with Golden State, there was never a second when I wanted to be anything other than a Warrior,' said Kevon Looney. In his letter, he mentioned everything he wanted to address to his former team as well as to his beloved teammates. His favorite memory, as he recalled, was when he received the 'MVP' chants from everywhere. Surprisingly, it shocked him as he never expected the crowd to cheer for him and call him 'MVP'. 'As that's happening, no lie, I'm basically like … I'm confused. I'd heard MVP chants from crowds a ton over the years. For Steph [Curry], or Klay [Thompson], or [Kevin Durant], for a lot of different players. I've always had real MVP-type guys on my team. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now So I knew what I was hearing immediately. But I didn't understand why the crowd was yelling it… And when I realized it? I mean … that was an incredible moment right there. I'd gotten LOOOOOON chants before, which I absolutely loved. But MVP? For me? Come on now. That's a moment I'll never forget as long as I live.' Wrote Kevin Looney, expressing his forever favorite moment while with the Warriors. While he was addressing, he also mentioned how Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were like his big brothers. He enjoyed the company of the two NBA legends. From guiding him to helping him grow, they did it all. Kevon Looney would be forever grateful to them for their constant love and support. With a heavy heart, he bade goodbye to his favorite team and his teammates. 'Not every ending has gotta be a sad ending. I'm leaving the Bay with a huge smile on my face. Thank you for the ride.' said Looney before concluding the letter. Also read:
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors Could Create Death Lineup With Two Smart Moves
Warriors Could Create Death Lineup With Two Smart Moves originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Golden State Warriors' offseason has certainly not gone according to plan. After outlining the need to make positional upgrades and acquire the right pieces to improve their roster strength, the Warriors have been entirely inactive. Advertisement With their top priority targets falling into the hands of other teams one by one, the Dubs find themselves in a difficult position. In addition to this, the team is also likely to lose several key players to free agency, with Kevon Looney already headed to the New Orleans Pelicans. The likes of Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga remain on the table, but there is a growing suspicion that they will be on the way out as well. With these pressing concerns, the team is in dire need of making adjustments to its roster. To aid this process, we present an increasingly likely strategy that the Warriors could embrace. With a particular emphasis on improving the team's integrity, we explore how the Dubs could create a death lineup by making two key additions in free agency. Sign Al Horford On A Veteran's Minimum Deal May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) returns up court against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images The biggest priority for the Golden State Warriors this offseason has been signing a reliable big man. Having changed their outlook to the "small ball" approach, the Warriors committed to acquiring a center. Advertisement While this attempt hasn't yielded much success thus far, the Dubs have reportedly shown a keen interest in signing former Boston Celtics center Al Horford in free agency. Horford's decision to become a free agent garnered a lot of attention from teams around the league, with even the Celtics hoping to re-sign him. At this stage, the Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be the frontrunners to sign the 39-year-old big man. Last season, Horford notched an average of 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds on shooting splits of 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range while coming off the bench for the Celtics. The veteran big could be an ideal fit in Golden State's system. Horford's versatility as an offensive player allows him to contribute in multiple situations. From his post play to his three-point shooting, the 5x All-Star has all the right tools to be a core rotation player on the Warriors. Advertisement Signing Horford to a veteran's minimum deal would be in the Warriors' interest, especially considering his age. Horford's experience, championship pedigree, and overall smarts make him an invaluable asset. By placing him in a lineup with the Warriors' starters, the veteran would undoubtedly have a big impact on the team's output. Sign Damian Lillard With The Mid-Level Exception Mar 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Another interesting move the Warriors could make in the offseason is to sign Damian Lillard in free agency. While this decision could raise some eyebrows in the immediate context, there is some merit to this move. Lillard recently entered the free-agent market after being waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. With the Bucks absorbing the $112.5 million owed to him, Lillard is expected to earn approximately $22 million a season for the next five years. This creates an intriguing situation for the 9x All-Star. Advertisement As things stand, several teams are hesitant to take a chance on Lillard. This is primarily because the guard will be sidelined for most of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from an Achilles injury. With no guarantee of availability, teams wouldn't see any benefit from acquiring him immediately. But, as Lillard claims, he is the "jackpot". Last season, the guard recorded an average of 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. While being extremely productive, the 34-year-old remains a deadly shooter from beyond the arc, having shot 37.6% from three-point range. The notion of signing Lillard to a short-term deal with the MLE would be of interest to Golden State. With the guard still earning a substantial amount of money over the next five seasons, Lillard could also be inclined to take a temporary pay cut to play on a title-contending roster. The backcourt pairing of Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard could herald a new era, the "Splash Bros 2.0". But this would only come to fruition after Lillard completes his recovery journey. The Warriors' Potential Death Lineup Would Be Old The Golden State Warriors' core already features a proven rotation of Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler. Considering that their postseason campaign was only derailed because of an injury sustained by Curry, it is fair to say that the Warriors have another run in them. Advertisement The signings of Lillard and Horford would do wonders in boosting the team's overall depth, and the death lineup would undoubtedly be a formidable one. But it is also safe to say that it would be an aging lineup by the time it becomes a reality. With Lillard effectively sidelined for next season, the Warriors' potential death lineup would only come into effect in the 2026-27 season. By this time, Curry would be 38, Green would be 36, Butler would be 36, Lillard would be 35, and Horford would be 40. A team this old may have a lot of experience and grit, but it would be a challenge to keep up with some of the younger teams in the league. Given the need to win right away, the Warriors may explore other options to improve their roster depth instead. Related: Jonathan Kuminga's Massive Contract Demand Revealed; Wants To Be Third Highest-Paid Warrior This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Knicks to sign Guerschon Yabusele
The Warriors couldn't afford to offer center Kevon Looney more than the veteran's minimum without eating into their resources for upgrades. So they did what they usually do — send Looney out into a bear market to see if he could get a better offer. Usually, he couldn't and came back to the Warriors. The $8 million he made last season was the highest salary of his career. Staying with the Warriors would have meant a nearly $5 million pay cut. But for the first time in his career, the market valued him more than the Warriors. Looney got paid. An era has ended. The Warriors will have to find a new backbone. He saw this possibility nearly seven weeks ago, after Game 5 in the Western Conference semifinals, when he last took off his Warriors jersey. Golden State's season ended with an unceremonious thud, a gentleman's sweep at the hands of Minnesota, courtesy of a most valuable strained hamstring. In the visiting locker room after the game, frustration noticeably absent from his face, Looney linked on his necklace and rested the gold medallion over the MSFIT letters across his shirt. He then tied the wrap around his locks, gathered his things and left the locker room. He knew it could have been his last game with the Warriors. Yet no angst could be found. Instead, Looney greeted the uncertainty like an old friend. He smiled as he walked into an unknown future. 'Same s—, different summer,' Looney said in May. 'I don't know. I could be back. But I don't know. I never know after the last game. I've packed all my s— four times.' No. 5 was the one. Read the rest of my column on the significance of Looney's departure.
