June 29, 2018

Kevon Looney
PF - 6’9, 220lbs - 22 years old - 3 years of experience

Kevon Looney’s season began in inauspicious circumstances with the fourth year team option of his rookie scale contract declined. This was somewhat understandable given that the Warriors had barely used Looney last season; however, Looney was quite effective in that limited role in 2016/17, and there was reason to believe that he would be so again. And he was.

Not used much offensively given his lack of explosion and inability to finish regularly in transition, lob and roll plays like JaVale McGee can, Looney makes his name defensively instead. Having been born at the age of 50, he lacks for the perimeter mobility so desired in big men these days, yet around the basket he exhibits good shot-blocking timing and a steady-enough rebounding rate. Looney is a deterrent on the interior, and proved this year that the Warriors should not have declined that option.

More importantly, despite that lack of mobility, Looney does a pretty good job on perimeter switches. He does not look as though he should be able to with that slow, clunky frame; nonetheless, good positioning, awareness and a commitment to staying in his stance mean Looney is better at this than most people with the mobility of a cruise liner are.

The Warriors are now limited in what they can pay Looney to re-sign him, but they will surely wish they weren't. Looney ended up fitting into Zaza Pachulia’s role quite comfortably, and may have pushed David West into retirement as well.

Player Plan: Expiring third year rookie scale contract after having his fourth year option declined. The maximum that the Warriors can pay Looney is the $2,227,081 that the option year would have paid him. Offer it, ask really nicely, expect a stern rebuke and a departure.

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June 29, 2017

Kevon Looney
PF, 6’9 220lbs, 21 years old, 2 years of experience

Showing some passing vision in an unathletic package, Looney could be in-house replacement for West at some point. He is having far too many hip troubles for one so young, however. And going the entire season without hitting a single mid-range jump shot won’t cut it.

Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary left, but so cheap that next year he is only going to count as the minimum. Might as well leave him there, then.

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