When Kevon Looney signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, he immediately began to think of how he could help his teammates. His initial comments revolved more around how he could simplify the game for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves rather than what they could do for him.
For as selfless as he may be, there is a chip on Looney's shoulder that's driving his mentality as a player who's willing to do exactly what the Lakers need he and others to embrace: The dirty work.
Looney, 30, has carved out an 11-year career by plugging holes in the rotation and competing with relentless energy on both ends of the floor. That's exactly why he's a three-time NBA champion who has routinely factored into winning rotations.
After an injury-plagued 2025-26 season, Looney is determined to get back to those winning ways by attempting to play every game and provide toughness, consistency, leadership, and elite rebounding.
Per Looney's recent interview with ESPN LA:
"I got a chip on my shoulder. I want to show that people what I can do. I want to be one of the best offensive rebounders, one of the best rebounds in the league. I want to be one of the best role players in the league. I want to bring a lot of spark to our bench and a lot of leadership. My goal every year is to play every game and be consistent. I had a couple of injuries last year so I wasn't able to meet that goal, so I want to get back on the right step and prove myself all over again by showing why I'm an ironman, I'm a tough man, and one of the best rebounders in the league."
Coming off of a season during which Deandre Ayton infamously complained that the Lakers were attempting to turn him into Clint Capela, it's refreshing to see a center embrace that type of role.
Kevon Looney: "I want to be one of the best role players in the league"
Looney appeared in just 21 games this past season, but he'd played at least 74 in each of the previous four. As such, his goal of meeting the ironman standard is by no means far-fetched, particularly when he played all 82 in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
In addition to being readily available in four of the past five seasons, Looney's goal of dominating the glass is one that he's consistently delivered on.
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Looney has averaged 13.4 rebounds and 4.9 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. That includes a stellar 2024-25 campaign during which he posted absurd marks of 14.6 rebounds and 5.8 offensive rebounds per 36.
Among players who appeared in at least 60 games that season, Looney ranked No. 2 in the NBA in rebounds per 36 minutes and No. 3 in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.
Kevon Looney isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to win
That's potentially great news for a Lakers team that ranked No. 24 in offensive rebounding percentage in 2025-26. It only scratches the surface of what he offers, however, as Looney is also an excellent screen-setter, an arguably underrated passer, and a committed defender.
During the 2024-25 season, Looney ranked No. 2 in the NBA in screen assists per 36 minutes, averaged 3.7 assists to 1.2 turnovers per 36, and ranked in the 94th percentile in rim protection, per Basketball Index.
If the Lakers can get that version of Looney in 2026-27, then they'll boast one of the best backup big men in the NBA. If Walker Kessler simultaneously lives up to his hefty price tag, then Los Angeles will have turned the center position from a question mark into an absolute strength.
With the chip on Looney's shoulder and his willingness to get his hands dirty, Los Angeles will have also sent a message to the entire locker room about what it takes to win.
Add us as a preferred source on Google