The Los Angeles Lakers added another veteran to their rebuilt frontcourt Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year contract with center Kevon Looney.
The deal is worth $3.9 million, Looney’s agent told ESPN. The 30-year-old is expected to back up the newly acquired Walker Kessler after Los Angeles traded Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards last week.
Looney spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans after playing his first 10 NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors. He won three championships with Golden State and built his reputation as a reliable rebounder, screener and interior defender. In 21 games with the Pelicans, Looney averaged 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in just under 15 minutes per game.
The UCLA product owns career averages of 4.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. His value has often extended beyond his scoring, particularly during Golden State’s playoff runs, when he provided the Warriors with rebounding and defensive versatility in the frontcourt.
The Lakers have been busy reshaping the roster around Luka Doncic, adding Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton before reaching an agreement with Looney.
Los Angeles is also continuing its pursuit of unrestricted free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, Looney’s former teammate in Golden State. The Lakers have remained in contact with Kuminga’s representatives after general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick met with him virtually and outlined a potential major role alongside Doncic, according to ESPN.
The Lakers have one roster spot remaining after the deal with Looney, though their limited financial flexibility could make adding Kuminga more complicated without a sign-and-trade arrangement. Kuminga, who averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Warriors and Atlanta Hawks last season, became a free agent when Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option last month.
