Lakers Sign Former Warriors Champion as Deandre Ayton Replacement

The Los Angeles Lakers signed center Kevon Looney to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, adding a versatile backup big man.

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After dealing Deandre Ayton, the backup center spot remained a massive question mark for the Lakers.

They traded for Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, dealing two first-rounders for him in the process and handing out a massive four-year, $130 million contract, but behind him, there was no one else on the depth chart.

Now, Kessler gets someone who can give him a breather in Kevon Looney, who offers a solid pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Apr 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) play for the rebound during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Looney’s contract is worth $3.9 milion, per Charania, and will end up serving as a key rotational big man for the Lakers.

What does Kevon Looney bring to the Lakers?

Looney is more of a plotting center, who does not move well horizontally, but should be a nice vertical presence. He plays hard on both ends and will not be found lacking in effort.

He hits the glass well, averaging 5.7 rebounds and 4.9 points. Looney sets nice, hard screens, which many fans have called illegal at times, but he tends to get away with them.

Feb 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

His slow feet relegate him to the bench, but he has a veteran presence that can hold down 10-14 minutes during the regular season and make him a match-up fit.

However, there will be certain match-ups where Looney will not get as much run, and the Lakers may end up needing another big man that fits a different profile.

At this point, the pickings are slim for the Lakers, but Nick Richards, a 28-year-old, stands out as an athletic option that the team would explore to add some more movement.

With Richards and Looney, the Lakers would be set for any opponent, and it would give JJ Redick, who loves making adjustments, a player he can throw into a postseason series as a change of pace.

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