Kevon Looney, the Golden State Warriors’ veteran center, has been with the team for nine years, contributing significantly to their success and helping them secure three championships. Recently, however, reports have emerged that the Warriors might waive Looney. He shared his thoughts on the matter during a podcast appearance.
Potential Waiver Due to Luxury Tax Concerns
Warriors’ executive Joe Lacob has previously expressed a desire to avoid the luxury tax. According to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, who spoke on a podcast, “I think the most likely scenario is that the Warriors will waive him (Looney), he will get $3 million from the Warriors, and then start looking for a new team.”
Looney’s Performance and Contract Details
Looney, 28, had a career-best season last year, playing all 82 games and averaging 7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 63.2%. However, this season he struggled, playing in 74 games and seeing a decline in his stats: 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.4 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 59.7%. Looney has one year left on his contract, worth $8 million, but only $3 million is guaranteed. Waiving him would save the Warriors $5 million.
| Season | Games Played | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last Season | 82 | 7.0 | 9.3 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 63.2 |
| This Season | 74 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 59.7 |
Looney’s Reflections on His Future
Looney recently appeared on teammate Draymond Green’s podcast to discuss his future with the Warriors. He acknowledged, “The decision is not in my hands. I can’t fully control my destiny, so I can only wait and control what I can.” He also admitted, “I’ve spent my entire career here, but I understand that it’s unrealistic to expect to stay with one team forever. I need to be prepared for any situation.”
Looney stated that he has set new goals for himself, aiming to expand his skill set for next season. “I feel like I’ve mastered my old role, now I need to figure out my new role and take the next step,” he said. He emphasized, “This is not something I can decide. I’ve been a Warrior my whole life, and no matter what happens, I will always be a part of the Warriors. All I can do is wait for the team to make their decision.”
