The Los Angeles Lakers signed Kevon Looney to a one-year, veteran minimum contract this summer, and all signs point to him being in the rotation, despite last season’s disaster. The 6’9 big man appeared in just 21 games and was often a DNP-CD on the rebuilding New Orleans Pelicans. Loon won three championships with the Warriors, but the Lakers don’t seem to notice that the sun is setting on his NBA career.
Head coach JJ Redick keeps bringing up Looney unprompted at the start of training camp. Los Angeles needs someone to fill the back center minutes behind Walker Kessler. Sandro Mamukelashvili’s size and limitations are more suited to a hybrid role. Lakers reporter Jovan Buha believes Loon will be in the rotation based on coach Redick’s early comments, which is a gamble at best.
Loon was virtually unplayable for the Pelicans last season, and those were not the first signs of decline. The Lakers are banking on the veteran to be in the rotation, and that will quickly backfire unless there is significant improvement from last year.
Kevon Looney was virtually unplayable for the Pelicans
Looney averaged 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.7 minutes per game last season. New Orleans only played him in 21 games, but it somehow gets worse. The big man shot 41.7 percent from the field and a career-worst 62.5 percent within three feet of the rim.
During the only stretch where he played in more than three consecutive games, New Orleans was outscored by 65 points over his 98 minutes and went 2-5. For the season, the Pelicans had a negative-8.1 net rating with Loon on the floor and were 4.8 points per 100 possessions better when he went to the bench.
The 30-year-old rated as a replacement-level player by VORP. New Orleans ended up in the lottery, but had no reason to tank. They had to give their first-round draft pick to the Hawks from the Derik Queen trade. They weren’t playing Looney, and this continued a trend for the big man.
The Warriors moved on because Kevon Looney was declining
Looney spent a decade playing for the Golden State Warriors. He went from late first-round draft pick to backup big man to starter on a championship squad in the Bay Area. Head coach Steve Kerr loved Looney and wished him well on his way out the door.
Golden State let him walk because his production was declining. His minutes and field goal percentage went down three straight years. His advanced metrics were on a similar decline. Loon played a key role in multiple championships, but the Warriors knew he was on the downside of his career.
Looney proved the Warriors right by dropping off even further in New Orleans. NBA big men often decline sharply as they reach 30 years old. Loon turns 31 in February and must play significantly better than last season if he wants to stick in a contender’s rotation.
The Lakers need a backup center upgrade over Kevon Looney
The Lakers should be exploring the trade market for an upgrade. They are not signing anyone in free agency or developing someone to fill this role. LA’s options are to stick with Loon, go small in the second unit, or make a trade. Mamu will excel in certain matchups, but the undersized center can’t be the nightly option at the five.
Loon was still a valuable signing for the Lakers. He is the only player on their roster with a championship ring. Looney is a strong leader, mentor, and example for his teammates. With LeBron James gone, the Lakers need that as they look to jump into title contention.
The purple and gold have 16 guaranteed contracts. They are required to get down to 15 by Oct. 19. The Lakers would love to pull off a consolidation trade that lands them a backup big man. They can’t rely on Looney to fill this role. He is past his prime and no longer able to make a positive impact for a serious contender.
The Los Angeles Lakers are showing faith in Kevon Looney early in training camp, but they need to pivot. The big man will be a valuable leader and locker room presence, but he should be a deep reserve. Head coach JJ Redick can use him in the right matchups. Otherwise, Loon makes an impact from the bench.
He has been declining for years. Sadly, Looney isn’t good enough to be part of the nightly rotation at this stage. The sooner the Lakers realize that, the better.
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