Kevon Looney Returns to California, Embraces Veteran Role with Lakers

After a season he described as "weird" with the New Orleans Pelicans, three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney is set to bring his veteran presence to the Los Angeles Lakers. The move marks a return to California for the 30-year-old center, who spent the first decade of his career with the Golden State Warriors.

Looney's arrival in Los Angeles fulfills a long-held hope for his family, as his wife, Mariah Simone Winston, is from the city. "When looking at the options and the landscape or opportunities, it was like, ‘all right, this is a team, a place I like to be at and it’s a chance to win and play for something’," Looney told The California Post. "It hit every mark that I wanted to be at. I’m here all summer training and everything. It was an easy transition for me. I got a lot of ties here."

The Lakers acquired Looney during free agency, adding him as the primary backup big man to marquee acquisition Walker Kessler. Coach JJ Redick expressed admiration for Looney's competitive spirit, high basketball IQ, and locker room presence. "Great locker room guy. Felt like he could help us in a number of ways, and he’s done that, he’s been that," Redick said.

Looney's tenure with the Warriors saw him become a key reserve and eventually the starting center during their dynasty years, including championship runs in 2017, 2018, and 2022. This experience in high-stakes environments is what the Lakers are banking on.

His past season in New Orleans was hampered by a sprained left knee suffered during preseason, followed by the team firing head coach Willie Green, who had been instrumental in Looney's arrival. The Pelicans shifted focus to developing younger players, leading to Looney playing in just 21 games, a significant drop from his previous seasons. "I didn’t get a lot of opportunities to play and show what I could do," Looney stated. "So coming back this year with a chip on my shoulder, just to show everybody again that I have a lot left to give in the tank and that I can help a team win."

As the oldest player on the Lakers roster at 30, Looney is expected to serve as a mentor to the team's younger players. "For me just somebody that all the guys can lean on and I’ve done played a lot of different roles in this league," Looney explained. "I’ve been in a lot of different scenarios. I’ve played a lot of big games. I kind of know how things are supposed to go, how things are supposed to flow."

Kessler acknowledged Looney's impact, calling him an "unreal vet" whose experience as a champion is valued by his new teammates. Looney aims to share his knowledge of playoff runs, series adjustments, and the lessons learned from playing alongside numerous standout players throughout his career.