The Los Angeles Lakers signed Kevon Looney to a one-year veteran minimum deal this summer, which looks terrifying now that he is in line to be the backup center behind Walker Kessler. LA signed Sandro Mamukelashvili, but he is a combo big man. The Lakers can’t expect him to be the backup five exclusively, and he may end up starting next to Kessler. Looney should be a third-stringer at this stage, but Rob Pelinka hasn’t gotten the purple and gold another option.
Loon is coming off a disastrous lone season in New Orleans. He averaged just 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.7 minutes per game. The 6’9 big man had a 0.0 value over replacement player (VORP), and the Pelicans were 6.9 points per 100 possessions worse with Looney on the floor. The 30-year-old big man played in just 21 games and is clearly declining.
The Lakers want to build a title-contending roster around Luka Doncic. How can they do it with Looney as the backup center? The veteran won three championships with the Golden State Warriors. He can provide leadership and experience, but his on-court production is in question. It is a problem entering the season without another trusted option.
Lakers made risky Kevon Looney gamble without adding a true backup center
Los Angeles traded Deandre Ayton and let Jaxson Hayes walk in free agency. They spent handsomely to get Walker Kessler and fulfill Luka’s wish for an impactful two-way center. The Lakers forgot about the backup. They moved on from Ayton too quickly and now have Looney as the only true option.
Dan Woike noted the Lakers were still looking (subscription required) in late July. They already have 16 players under guaranteed contract and just changed ownership. Rob Pelinka is still leading the front office, but can he make moves? It is a question that nobody knows the answer to right now.
The season is quickly approaching. Training camp begins in late September, and the regular season kicks off on Oct. 21 for Los Angeles. The Lakers have to cut a player before opening night. More moves are coming, but their need for a starting forward likely outweighs getting a reserve big man.
Head coach JJ Redick will be forced to go small plenty as Looney is no longer a nightly option. The 6’9 big man is a strong rebounder, but he struggles to protect the rim, guard on the perimeter, and provide an offensive impact. Luka loves to run pick-and-rolls, and Looney can’t be the second unit option if he struggles to finish inside.
This signing was a gamble. Loon was a replacement-level player last season. The Lakers clearly believe he will be better, but they need another option. Going into the season with just two true centers is a problem. If Kessler is forced to miss time, the Lakers have serious issues on defense and at the five.
Looney is not the answer. He is a third-string big man at this stage of his career who gobbles up boards and exploits specific matchups. The Lakers can’t just throw him out there every night and expect it to go well. He was benched by the Pelicans last season and struggled when he played. Los Angeles has expectations to compete, and every win counts. Banking on Loon is a mistake until the big man proves otherwise.
The Los Angeles Lakers took a risk signing Kevon Looney and have made it terrifying by not adding a trusted backup option. They are banking on going small in the second unit if Loon doesn’t work out. That is a bold move against bruising bench big men like Mitchell Robinson and Steven Adams.
Depth is more important than ever. The Lakers need a true backup center. They are clearly banking on Looney to fill that role, which should have fans worried. It could end in disaster if he doesn’t improve on last season, and that is terrifying.
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