Kevon Looney’s decade-long run with the Golden State Warriors came to a close this past offseason, but the respect he earned during that stretch isn’t going anywhere. The 29-year-old big man, now with the New Orleans Pelicans, helped anchor three championship runs and carved out a reputation as one of the most dependable, selfless players in the league. His impact wasn’t always flashy, but it was felt - especially by those who watched him grind possession after possession, doing the dirty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score.
Before facing his old squad on Saturday, Looney opened up about the decision to leave the only NBA team he’d ever known. And while there’s no bad blood, it’s clear that his departure was rooted in a shift that had been building for a while.
“Steve [Kerr] is the guy that changes lineups, and you kind of have to wait on your opportunity,” Looney said. “He just wants to win.
He puts the best lineups out there just to win games. And so, it was a real frustration [with his minutes at times].
I kind of know how he thinks, and I know what he’s trying to do.”
That’s the tightrope walk for any veteran on a team with championship ambitions - balancing personal goals with the ever-changing needs of the roster. Looney understood the system, understood Kerr’s approach, and still found himself stuck in a rotational squeeze.
“As a player, you see the matchups, and you just want something bad to get out there, to leave an impact,” Looney added. “It was more along that line, but it was no hard feelings. You know, 10 years, I had a lot of great memories.”
And that’s the thing - Looney’s time in Golden State wasn’t just about the minutes or the stats. It was about trust.
There were stretches where he admits he probably didn’t “deserve the opportunity,” but the coaching staff believed in him anyway. That kind of equity builds over time, and Looney had earned it through years of doing the little things that help teams win.
But the reality is, his role had diminished. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged just 15.0 minutes per game - a sharp drop from the 23.9 he logged only a few years prior.
It wasn’t a reflection of effort or attitude; it was more about fit. The Warriors leaned harder into small-ball lineups, and Looney, at 6-foot-9 and not the most offensively gifted big, found himself on the outside looking in more often than he was used to.
His numbers told the story - 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game - solid, but not enough to command a consistent role in a rotation that was evolving. The writing was on the wall, and both sides seemed to understand that a change might be best.
Now in New Orleans, Looney gets a fresh start. And while he’s moved on, there’s no denying the mark he left on the Bay Area.
He was never the loudest voice in the room or the flashiest player on the court, but he showed up, did his job, and helped deliver banners. That’s the kind of legacy that doesn’t fade.
As Looney put it: “More great than bad.” And for any player, that’s a career worth celebrating.