Kevon Looney‘s decade-long tenure with the Golden State Warriors has come to an end. The two-time NBA champion has signed with the New Orleans Pelicans after agreeing a two-year $16 million contract.
On July 18, Warriors guard Moses Moody made an appearance on the “Willard & Dibs show” for 95.7 The Game. During his time on the radio show, he detailed why losing Looney will prove to be a big loss for the Warriors franchise. He pointed toward Looney’s leadership as one of the biggest losses.
“It’s going to be tough losing Loon in so many ways,” Moody said. “He’s been here since I got here. The person he’s been for the team and for me is immeasurable. He definitely can’t be replaced in any way — including the yoga room.”
Moody continued.
“…The way he looked out for me and brought [yoga] to my attention and made it accessible to me. He even paid for me to do it in my first year. So just extending that out to guys coming in the way he did for me. And he didn’t put pressure on me to do it. Same thing with Chapel. Going to Chapel before the games. He told me he was going and it was up to me to go if I wanted to or not.”
Throughout his time with the Warriors, Looney proved himself to be a winning player. He always found a way to make an impact for Kerr’s team, regardless of the role he was asked to play or the situation he was thrust into. He will undoubtedly be a big loss to the franchise.
Looney played a total of 599 regular-season games for Golden State, averaging 5 points and 5.7 rebounds per outing.
Warriors Expected to Land Horford and Melton
In a July 20 article from NBA Insider Marc Stein, he shared his belief that both Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton will ultimately sign with the Warriors. Both veterans have been linked with the franchise throughout the summer, but neither has walked through the door.
“We are indeed three full weeks into free agency now, but I still expect Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton to wind up in Golden State when their signing commitments are made public and official,” Stein wrote.
Horford would be an important addition to Golden State’s rotation. Not only would he replace Looney, he would also provide positional versatility and some reliable defense and floor spacing. Pairing him with Draymond Green could lead to some good results, too.
Warriors Stuck in Negotiations With Kumigna
Jonathan Kuminga‘s restricted free agency has turned into the saga of the summer for Golden State. On July 17, Stein reported that the former lottery pick is seeking a contract that would pay him $25 million per season. However, the Warriors appear reluctant to commit that much salary to a player who has struggled to cement himself in the rotation.
“Kuminga’s holding pattern has generated the most media attention to date. His agent Aaron Turner has held numerous discussions with Warriors officials in Las Vegas, league sources tell The Stein Line, with the hope of securing a contract — even a short-term contract — that pays at least $25 million in average annual salary … whether that’s to stay with the Warriors or switch teams via sign-and-trade,” Stein reported. “Sources say that the Warriors have expressed reluctance to go that high in price over a long-term agreement while also seeking some level of first-round draft compensation in any theoretical trade that ships Kuminga elsewhere.”
Kuminga’s future is a genuine question at the moment. However, that should stop the Warriors from pushing ahead and signing Melton and Horford in the near future. After all, regardless of whether Kuminga sticks around or not, the Warriors need some fresh faces. And, those two veterans fit the bill.
