Kevon Looney's Looming Free Agency
The Warriors are one game away from returning to the Finals for the 6th time in 8 years. They’re the only team since Michael Jordan’s Bulls to accomplish such a feat. But while the hype drawn from returning to the biggest stage in basketball is well-warranted, it’s hard not to look towards the future, especially when so many guys have shown their value late in the playoffs.
The Warriors are going to have to make a move in order to get their money in order. Jordan Poole has a looming contract extension eligibility, and his play has warranted offering him a big deal. Andrew Wiggins is on the last year of his albatross of a contract as well, and with the rookies looking like they’re going to be important long-term pieces, Golden State is going to have to make a move somewhere.
One of the biggest stories of the postseason, however, will also be a free agent this summer. Warriors center Kevon Looney, who was drafted to the team in 2015, is on the market this year, and unfortunately for the team’s salary space (while very fortunate for their success and for Looney, as he’s stepped up big time), he’s going to deserve a bigger payday than he’s currently getting.
There are a few drawbacks that will likely raise concerns about Looney. He’s a 6’9 center, for one, and he doesn’t stretch the floor particularly well if at all. Those are two things that a lot of teams are going to look at just shake their head, saying “that doesn’t work” based on the metrics they see. Playing small-ball generally relies on having a big man in the middle who can shoot from the outside, especially if he’s going to be undersized, and Looney can’t do that.
But for anyone who actually watches basketball, it’s obvious why this guy has earned his money.
Looney’s durability is the first thing to note. Despite injuries throughout his early career, he played a full 82 games this season, and has been fully available for the playoffs so far. He’s had to defend Nikola Jokic, Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Demarcus Cousins through two rounds so far… And he’s still showing signs of owning the paint, partly because Dallas has no serviceable size there, but mainly because he’s a great rebounder and a good defender. He can switch out to the perimeter and contest shots on guards, so you can’t really hunt him out, and despite his size disadvantages, he outworks everybody else on the glass. Those are things you can’t really teach.
His shooting and inability to catch lobs are what’s going to make a lot of teams look at him a little funny when his negotiations end up with a higher bill than initially forecasted, but for the Warriors, that’s a good thing: The league undervaluing his contributions is precisely something the Warriors will not do, and it’s entirely possible they resign him for cheaper than he should get. It’s also possible, however, that Looney doesn’t think too hard about the money: He’s adapted to his role on the Warriors incredibly well, and getting used to that comfort makes it hard to leave the squad.
So what will happen to Kevon Looney in free agency? The likelihood is that some mid-tier team is going to try and target him as their new starting center, but they’ll like undervalue him because despite his durability, he still has an injury history, doesn’t have extended range, and is too small to compete with the 7-footers who dominate the paint. Ultimately that won’t matter, because it’s possible that not only the Warriors get him on a team-friendly contract, but he’ll sign that deal willingly. If the Warriors win another championship this season, it will entice the guys to “run it back”, even if it means taking a little less than they’re offered.
That’s not to say Looney is going to forego a deal that is twice as much as he made last year. If the price is right, then he's got to do what’s best for him. But if no team is throwing a bag at him, and he’s bought in to helping this team win, then he could undercut his own value and resign just to stick around. And for a guy who not only gets a lot of love from the organization and fans, but has shown he wants to be here, that certainly doesn’t seem too out-of-reach.
(Photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)