Shortly after winning the 2022 NBA championship, the Golden State Warriors have already turned their attention to the offseason. After adding three prospects in the NBA draft, the Warriors will need to build the rest of their roster through free agency.
After playing a key role in Golden State’s run to a championship, including multiple heroic performances in the postseason, Kevon Looney’s contract with the Warriors is set to expire. However, the veteran center could be on his way back to the Bay Area.
According to Marc Stein, there’s “growing pessimism” around teams interested in pursuing Looney. The 26-year-old big man is “increasingly expected” to re-sign with the Warriors on a multiyear deal, per Stein.
Via Marc Stein Substack:
There is growing pessimism, league sources say, among teams interested in pursuing Kevon Looney about the ability to pry Looney away from the newly minted champions in Golden State.
Looney is increasingly expected to re-sign with the Warriors on a multiyear deal after playing a vital role in their fourth title run in a span of eight seasons.
Read Stein’s latest substack here.
Looney played in all 82 games for the Warriors during the 2021-22 regular season, averaging 6.0 points on 57.1% shooting from the floor with 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.6 blocks in 21.1 minutes per game.
During the postseason, Looney registered 5.8 points on 65.9% shooting from the field with 7.6 boards and 2.2 assists in 20.4 minutes. To close out the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round, Looney recorded a career-high 22 boards. In the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Looney recorded a double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds.
If Looney returns to San Francisco next season, he will provide a proven veteran presence in Golden State’s frontcourt in front of third-year big James Wiseman.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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