Kevon Looney, a Golden State Warriors legend, is facing a challenging first season with the New Orleans Pelicans, and recent developments have added to his woes. Interim head coach James Borrego opted for a big lineup against the Philadelphia 76ers, but instead of Looney, it was DeAndre Jordan who got the nod, playing over 30 minutes in a surprise move.
Jordan, who hadn't played since October 29, made a remarkable comeback, helping the Pelicans secure a 126-111 victory. The 37-year-old veteran contributed six points, an impressive 15 rebounds (including five offensive), and four blocks, finishing with a +13 rating in nearly 32 minutes of action. This performance was a throwback to his prime, considering he hadn’t averaged more than 15 minutes per game in the last five seasons.
For Looney, this situation is another setback. Despite being a seasoned player with three NBA championships under his belt, he has only appeared in 18 games this season, with just three since January 2. Over this period, Looney has accumulated 19 DNPs, including the recent game against the 76ers, where he was the only active Pelican not to hit the court.
Meanwhile, another former Warrior, Jordan Poole, found his rhythm after nine consecutive DNPs before the All-Star break. Poole scored 18 points in the second half alone, finishing with 23 points, three rebounds, and five assists in less than 25 minutes off the bench.
Looney’s future with the Pelicans is uncertain. He signed a two-year, $16 million deal in the offseason, but the second year is a team option. With Jordan seeing significant minutes, the likelihood of the Pelicans exercising that option seems to be diminishing.