The Los Angeles Lakers have added one other veteran presence to their frontcourt, agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with middle Kevon Looney.
The deal comes shortly after the Lakers moved on from Deandre Ayton, with Looney anticipated to step into the backup middle position behind the group’s newly reshaped frontcourt.
Whereas the contract is price $3.9 million, it’s a veteran’s minimal deal and can rely solely $2.4 million towards Los Angeles’ wage cap, giving the Lakers further flexibility as they proceed exploring upgrades elsewhere on the roster, in accordance with ESPN.
Looney arrives after spending final season with the New Orleans Pelicans, marking the primary time in his profession he was not a member of the Golden State Warriors. Accidents restricted the 30-year-old to only 21 appearances, the place he averaged 2.8 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 14.7 minutes per sport.
A left knee harm sidelined Looney initially of the season, and after the Pelicans signed DeAndre Jordan, his alternatives turned more and more restricted. From the start of December by the tip of the marketing campaign, Looney appeared in solely 10 video games earlier than New Orleans declined his group possibility, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Regardless of an injury-plagued 12 months, Looney stays one of many league’s extra dependable rebounders and display setters. Earlier than arriving in New Orleans, he constructed a status as one of many NBA’s most sturdy gamers, showing in all 82 video games throughout each the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with Golden State. Throughout his last 4 years with the Warriors, he performed no less than 74 video games every season.
The Lakers seem decided to enhance one in all their largest weaknesses from final season: rebounding. Even in restricted motion, Looney posted a 16.6 p.c offensive rebound charge, comfortably forward of each Deandre Ayton at 11.5 p.c and Jaxson Hayes at 10 p.c.
Whereas Looney isn’t often known as a high-flying lob menace, his physicality, rebounding and expertise ought to present invaluable depth as Los Angeles continues constructing its roster for an additional playoff push.
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