Lakers acquire former NBA champ Kevon Looney

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Los Angeles Lakers picked up one of the most experienced big men available in the free-agent market and are set to sign former NBA champion Kevon Looney to a deal.

According to ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania, the Lakers will sign the 11-year veteran to a one-year, USD 3.9 million deal.

With the departure of Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton, LA needs a reliable backup for newly acquired Walker Kessler, who officially ended his tenure with the Utah Jazz.

Looney had a rough 2025-26 NBA season after playing only 14.7 minutes per game for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21 games.

Despite the inconsistent outing, Looney’s championship pedigree can’t be denied after he won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors.

Scrappy, an enforcer, and a relentless rebounder, Looney’s role was always praised by Steve Kerr and Golden State’s core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.

During Golden State’s last NBA Finals win in 2022, Looney became a vital piece in the team’s impressive six-game series win against the Boston Celtics.

After playing limited minutes in Game 3, Kerr decided to play Looney more in Game 4, resulting in a massive win built from a team-high plus-21 rating in 28 minutes off the bench.

Although Looney only chipped in six points, his presence in the shaded lane helped deliver four offensive rebounds for Golden State and eight defensive boards.

Looney then saved his best for last in the title-clinching Game 6, where he neutralized Boston’s Al Horford and Robert Williams III with his physicality and ability to switch in the pick-and-pop.

After playing his first 10 seasons with Golden State, the franchise had to let him go in 2025, and he was later acquired by the Pelicans.

Now, Looney will have the chance to resurrect his NBA title hopes after joining a star-studded Lakers squad led by Slovenian maestro Luka Doncic and scoring machine Austin Reaves.

Playing alongside him in the frontcourt are Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt.