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Kevon Looney Rumors: Pelicans Targeting Free Agent; Warriors Hope to Re-Sign
June 27, 2019
The Golden State Warriors are hoping to re-sign forward Kevon Looney, but there are reportedly several teams interested if he hits free agency, according to NBA writer Sean Deveney.
One team looking at potentially signing the 23-year-old is the New Orleans Pelicans, who are hoping to find another big man to add next to rookie Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans also drafted Jaxson Hayes in the lottery, while Jahlil Okafor and Christian Wood remain on the roster from last year's team. Still, the squad could use another established player going into next year.
Looney has seen his role grow in each of his four years in the NBA, finishing last season with an average of 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 80 appearances. He averaged a double-double per 36 minutes, showing the type of impact he could have with more playing time.
He also stepped up in the playoffs when the Warriors were devastated by injuries, including his 12 points and 14 rebounds in the clinching Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals.
This helps explain why there would be a lot of demand on the open market, although Golden State also likely doesn't want to let him leave.
"Golden State is expected to move quickly to keep Looney from exploring the market too deeply, because the more he hears from teams like New Orleans and Houston, the more tempted he might be to leave," Deveney wrote on Facebook.
With Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins and Andrew Bogut also free agents, the Warriors will want to make sure they keep at least some valuable players in the frontcourt going into next season.