This season has been bittersweet for Warriors fans. Despite pulling off a remarkable comeback after acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, propelling the team from near the bottom of the Western Conference standings into a playoff spot, and then pulling off an upset against the second-seeded Rockets in the first round, fate dealt them a cruel blow. Stephen Curry’s unexpected injury dashed their hopes, leading to a swift 4-1 sweep at the hands of the Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals. Once again, the team faced disappointment. Moreover, they now confront a range of challenges: their core players—Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green—are showing signs of decline, and the departure of veteran players threatens to weaken the roster further.
展开剩余90%Today, we focus on one key figure set to leave this summer, a player who spent a decade with the franchise and was instrumental in securing three NBA championships for the Warriors: Kevon Looney. In an era where player salaries can soar past thirty or even forty million dollars, Looney stands out as something of an anomaly. Over the past ten years, his total earnings amount to only around $40 million—a modest sum by today’s standards. Yet, despite his relatively modest pay and his role as a blue-collar player, Looney’s farewell to the team was an emotional one, touching the hearts of Warriors fans everywhere. Even Curry called him a legend during an interview. Let’s take a closer look at Looney’s journey and discover what he brought to the Golden State Warriors over these ten years.
1. Drafted last in the first round but witness to the team’s rise
Back in the summer of 2015, a 19-year-old Looney was coming off an impressive freshman season at UCLA, one of NCAA’s most storied programs. He averaged 11.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, leading the Bruins to the Sweet 16 in March Madness and earning spots on the Pac-12 All-Second Team and All-Freshman Team. Given his college achievements, being picked at the very end of the first round seemed unexpected. Unfortunately, as a big man lacking mid- to long-range shooting, he was pigeonholed as a blue-collar player. Worse, he suffered a hip injury before the draft, which significantly dropped his stock. Although he was invited to the NBA’s green room for the draft, fate intervened when the freshly crowned champion Warriors selected him late, beginning a decade-long bond.
Initially, Looney spent much of his rookie season in the G League. The Warriors’ roster was already deep and established, and coach Steve Kerr was known for being cautious with rookies. Looney appeared in just five regular-season games, averaging 1.8 points and 2 rebounds, and did not play in the playoffs, watching as the team with 73 wins ultimately lost the Finals to the Cavaliers. The following year, with Kevin Durant joining, the “Super Warriors” era began. Looney still saw limited minutes, but with the “Splash Brothers” dominating, many games were decided early, giving him valuable garbage-time experience. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.3 rebounds that season and earned his first championship ring. Off the court, his versatility impressed Kerr—training drills showed Looney could hold his own in one-on-one challenges against stars like Durant, signaling a turning point in his career.
2. Weathering the lows and becoming a reliable bench piece
By the 2017-18 season, with Zaza Pachulia’s performance declining, Looney’s minutes gradually increased. He responded well to the trust, appearing in 66 games and averaging 4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in just under 14 minutes per contest. His solid rebounding and rim protection earned him praise from both fans and the team. That postseason, he made the playoff roster for the first time and helped the Warriors successfully defend their title. As his contract neared its end, Looney surprised many by signing a modest three-year, $14.19 million deal, emphasizing in interviews that salary was not his priority—his focus was on giving his all for the Warriors who had given him a chance.
The story that followed is well-known: the Warriors reached their fifth straight Finals in 2018-19 but were hampered by injuries to Durant and Klay Thompson and internal tensions. They ultimately fell to the Raptors, ending the bid for a three-peat. The dynasty crumbled almost overnight as Durant and others departed. Several teams showed interest in Looney, who had posted respectable playoff averages of 7.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1 assist in that campaign. Yet, he stayed loyal to Golden State. This loyalty endeared him further to the organization. Although he was sidelined with injury for much of the 2019-20 season, playing only 20 games, the Warriors made it clear they wanted him back. Upon his return, he became a key rotation player in 2020-21, contributing 4.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, even though the team missed the playoffs. The future still looked promising.
3. Burning bright in his prime and bidding farewell with dignity
In 2021-22, Stephen Curry continued his scoring dominance, Draymond Green rediscovered his prime form, and contributions from Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole surged, with Klay Thompson returning to action after injury. The Warriors looked unstoppable once again. Looney started all 82 games, putting up career-best averages of 6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. His playoff performances were equally impressive. Against the Grizzlies, he recorded a monster stat line of 4 points, 22 rebounds, and 5 assists in one game, earning him the affectionate nickname “Looney the Rebounder.” In the Western Conference Finals versus the Mavericks, he showcased his all-around game with a 21-point, 12-rebound effort and another game with 10 points and 18 rebounds. His contributions were crucial to the Warriors reclaiming the championship. Remarkably, despite receiving offers for larger contracts elsewhere, Looney chose to stay in Golden State, signing a three-year, $25.5 million extension.
During the championship defense season, Looney continued to shine, averaging career highs across points (7), rebounds (9.3), and assists (2.5). Unfortunately, internal conflicts between Poole and Green, coupled with injuries, cast a shadow over the team’s cohesion. Although the Warriors narrowly made the playoffs, they were eliminated by the Lakers, ending the season in disappointment. Over the last two seasons, Kerr’s coaching strategy shifted towards smaller lineups with less height, and aging stars further contributed to fluctuating team performance. Looney’s minutes dwindled, playing just 15 minutes per game this season with 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds, contributing little in the playoffs. As his contract expired, it became clear the Warriors had no plans to retain him. Approaching 30 and with limited skills, Looney accepted the reality without complaint, parting with tears and memories. After signing with the Pelicans, he tearfully bid farewell at his press conference, closing a chapter of a decade filled with dedication and loyalty. For Warriors fans, his contributions—though not always flashy—will never be forgotten, cementing his status as a true team legend.
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