With the LA Lakers looking for help, an answer could come with a Golden State Warriors veteran.
After missing the NBA playoffs last season, the Golden State Warriors returned to the postseason, albeit as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
Despite carrying the morale boost of the Jimmy Butler trade, the Dubs faced a conference semifinal elimination for the second time in three years.
The Warriors’ failure in the postseason could be a blessing in disguise for their rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, if they choose to target 10-year veteran Kevon Looney in the offseason.
Kevon Looney should be on the LA Lakers’ radar
Since winning the 2020 NBA Championship, the LA Lakers have hardly seen any success in the postseason and it’s not due to a lack of star power.
Throughout the last five seasons, the Lakers had been led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Davis was replaced by Luka Doncic after the blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024-25 season.
So, what has been the organization’s biggest flaw? Finding trustworthy role players, especially an elite center.
This flaw was exposed by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 NBA Playoffs as well, when the Lakers were eliminated in just five games in the opening round.
However, the team can fix their mistake by signing Looney as his contract is set to expire this offseason.
Being a 10-year veteran and part of three NBA Championship runs with the Warriors, Looney is the perfect choice to end the Lakers’ center woes.
Why the Golden State Warriors may allow Kevon Looney to leave
Over the last 10 years, Looney has given his heart and soul to the franchise. Looney also earned major starting minutes from head coach Steve Kerr in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
However, with the rise of Quinten Post, it has become clear that Looney won’t get his minutes back. On top of that, Kerr has moved Draymond Green to the center position.
The decision was made to make room for the likes of Buddy Hield and Jimmy Butler at forward positions in the starting lineup.
If Looney stays with the Dubs, he will likely be stuck as a second or third-option center for the team, at best. On the other hand, joining the Lakers will likely earn him a starting spot.
It will also complete Looney’s return to Los Angeles as he spent his freshman year with the UCLA Bruins during the 2014-15 season.
