Warriors Lose 3-Time Champion to West Foe in Free Agency

The Golden State Warriors parted ways with a long-time member of the franchise on Monday, June 30, the opening day of NBA free agency.

Center Kevon Looney, who spent the entirety of his first 10 years in the league as a member of the Warriors, agreed to a two-year contract to join the New Orleans Pelicans. Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news Monday night.

“Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted to X. “Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar and the Pelicans reached a deal tonight for the three-time NBA champion who departs Golden State after 10 years.”

Looney was a regular starter for Golden State from 2020-24, appearing in 299 games over that four-year stretch and starting 220 of those contests. His best season came in 2022-23, the year following the Dubs’ most recent title.

He averaged 7.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 82 games played (70 starts) that season. For his career, Looney has put up 5.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.2 minutes per night.

Warriors Targeting Former Celtics Big Man Al Horford as Kevon Looney Replacement

GettyCenter Al Horford, formerly of the Boston Celtics.

Looney’s departure only further highlights the Warriors’ need to add a viable center to the roster. Ideally, that player could guard inside and out, switch occasionally on the perimeter and provide floor spacing as a respectable 3-point shooter.

Al Horford, most recently of the Boston Celtics, can do all of that. As such, he is Golden State’s top target as free agency begins.

“Russell Westbrook has emerged as a potential free agent target for the Knicks and Al Horford is a top target for Golden State, league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me,” Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported via X Monday afternoon.

Horford will play next season at 39 years old but remains a viable big man in the league. He averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 2024-25, connecting on 36.3% of his shots from behind the 3-point arc on more than five attempts per game, which should fit perfectly alongside Stephen Curry and add outside shooting to lineups that feature Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler or both.

Horford’s price remains an open question, though he played the last two seasons in Boston on a deal worth a total of $19.5 million. Horford won the first title of his NBA career with the Celtics on the first year of that contract following the 2023-24 campaign.

Deandre Ayton Among Only Top Center Options Available After First Day of Free Agency

Getty Center Deandre Ayton, formerly of the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Multiple reports Monday indicated that the Warriors were zeroing in on Horford and that the two sides shared optimism about an impending deal. However, if that doesn’t happen, the big man options in free agency are quickly wearing thin.

Deandre Ayton negotiated a buyout on the final year of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend, which makes him available on Tuesday night. And should Horford fall through, Ayton may be Golden State’s last best option.

That is because Brook Lopez signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, while Clint Capela inked a deal with the Houston Rockets.