Leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft in November, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight some of the most memorable picks — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.
After coming off a run to the NBA Finals for the first time in 40 seasons, the Warriors were eyeing a prospect that could help stretch Golden State’s championship window. With Andrew Bogut, Marresse Speights and Festus Ezeli playing significant roles in Golden State’s offense, the Warriors were looking for a prospect to add to their frontcourt.
June 25, 2015
Similar to the 2020 NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves opened the 2015 edition of draft night by selecting Karl Anthony-Towns out of Kentucky with the first overall pick.
Fast forward to the final pick in the first round, and the duo of Bob Myers and Steve Kerr were on the clock. With the No. 30 overall selection, the Warriors landed UCLA big man Kevon Looney.
During his only season in Pasadena, the 6-foot-9 freshman averaged 11.6 points on 47.0% shooting from the field with 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 36 games. The former McDonald’s All-American earned spots on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and the Pac-12 All-Second Team.
Watch Looney get drafted by the Warriors in 2015 via YouTube:
During his rookie season alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the UCLA product only played in five games at the NBA level. Over the course of his brief stint with Golden State as a rookie, Looney averaged 1.8 point son 57.1% shooting from the field with 2.0 rebounds per contest.
Despite limited playing time, Looney continued to improve with the Warriors. After only starting in eight games in his first three seasons with Golden State, Looney blossomed into a regular contributor for Kerr, starting in 24 games during the 2018-19 season.
While injuries have played a factor in Looney’s time with the Warriors, the former Bruin became a part of Golden State lore after a handful of formidable performances in the 2018-19 postseason.
In Golden State’s playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, Looney recorded a career-high 19 points on 6-of-6 shooing with five rebounds in only 19 minutes. Fast forward to the 2019 Western Conference, Looney stamped another career-high performance. The gritty Golden State center grabbed 14 boards in a closeout game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Looney added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field in game four.
In 2019-20, Looney was only limited to 20 games as he dealt with a bevy of different injuries. In May, Looney underwent season-ending surgery to fix a core muscle problem that was lingering.
After missing 45 games lasts season, Looney is healthy and expected to return to Golden State’s rotation at the start of the 2020-21 season.
Other notable members of the 2015 draft class included Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell, Latvia’s Kristaps Porzingis, Kelly Oubre out of Kansas, Louisville’s Montrezl Harrell, Myles Turner out of Texas and Kentucky’s Devin Booker.
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