It may not be thrilling to Lakers fans, but it’s a good bit of business — the Lakers just got the best backup center still available on the market.
Kevon Looney and the Lakers have agreed to a one-year contract at the veteran minimum of $3.9 million, Looney’s agent Todd Ramasar tells Shams Charania of ESPN.
Looney, a three-time NBA Champion with the Warriors, was squeezed out of the rotation last season in New Orleans, where the focus shifted to playing the young bigs (Derik Queen, Yves Missi), and, unsurprisingly, the Pelicans chose not to pick up his $8 million team option for this season. Last season, Looney only played in 21 games and averaged 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest.
Looney will back up just-acquired Walker Kessler at the five. Plus, it’s easy to imagine JJ Redick rolling out some smaller ball lineups with someone like Sandro Mamukelashvili as well.
Looney, 30, is a solid reserve big man. He sets a strong pick, is a good rebounder, and is well-liked in the locker room.
Lakers fans may have preferred Mitchell Robinson as a backup center but his price was much higher ($15 million a season, Boston was wiling to pay it). The Knicks looked at their options and chose to reach a deal with Andre Drummond to replace Mitchell. That left Looney as the Lakers’ best option, and they took it.
Read the full article here