It is fair to say Kevon Looney was largely met with a lukewarm reception when news broke of him signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Some could not help but be skeptical with the addition. Others chose to wait patiently in hopes of more juice being added to the frontcourt beyond just him.
Up front is not the only area the Lakers are looking to improve, though. Their wings continue to stand out as needing major help. The most well-known name who Los Angeles has been eager to add has been Jonathan Kuminga. The desire for both sides to get something done does reportedly exist.
Jovan Buha said: "There is mutual interest here from the two parties. They have had conversations throughout free agency up to this point. ... [The Lakers are] trying to get that starting forward that they feel like will be the missing piece."
Buha added that Kuminga is currently at the top of the board for Los Angeles. That could offer another reason as to why the Lakers opted to bring in Looney. The former Golden State Warriors big man was paired with the athletic forward as a mentor during their time together in the Bay Area.
Kevon Looney's relationship with Jonathan Kuminga gives Lakers a recruiting advantage
Looney saw his best days in the NBA as a member of the Warriors. Apart from being a strong presence on the glass, the now veteran center was playing a similarly crucial role off the court. He was offering guidance to his younger peers, Kuminga among them.
The former Warriors described part of his role was to be a resource for his young guys in an old interview with NBC Sports' Monte Poole. That sit-down specifically referred to his mentorship with Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Looney would even often serve as an approachable middle ground between the young guys and the team's stars. The former Warriors center would relay questions, comments, and grievances to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green on the behalf of those younger players.
Those kinds of relationships can form lasting bonds. One would imagine that is partly what the Lakers are banking on here as they pursue Kuminga.
If he and Looney developed good rapport in Golden State, that could make the decision to join Los Angeles that much more straightforward. New environments can be daunting. Kuminga would have someone he recognizes in his corner from the jump.
Little things like that can matter. The Lakers will be banking on that boost in their pursuit of Kuminga.
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