Kevon Looney has proven to be a key cog for the Golden State Warriors after two disappointing seasons coming into his NBA career, but despite playing a substantial role during the regular season and even more in the playoffs, he fell short of fielding offers for his services this summer.
According to Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News, Looney fielded interest from the Houston Rockets (who constantly targeted him on switches during the Western Conference Finals), Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, but the big man admitted, “nobody really offered.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr added that “it was a little nerve-wracking thinking we might lose him, but it all worked out in the end for us.”
But Looney knew where his loyalties lied, unless it came down to an offer too hard to resist.
“If it would’ve been a situation where it was a certain amount of money that you can’t turn down in my position, I would’ve taken it,” said Looney. “If it was anything closer or near, I wanted to stay here and stay in a situation I know. I don’t think there was any other better situation out there for me as far as minutes. Even with DeMarcus coming, I knew I had a chance to be in the rotation. I felt it was the best situation for me and everybody here.”
Looney will be guaranteed some solid minutes as a power forward/center hybrid, now another year more familiar under Kerr's system and with the utmost faith from the coaching staff.
“A lot of my veteran guys tell me this is the best organization,” Looney said. “This isn’t what it’s going to be like anywhere else. So enjoy it while you can. So if the opportunity presents itself, I want to be here.”
Having signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal this summer, the 22-year-old UCLA product could walk away with three championships in his first four years in the league if he can prove just as helpful as he was last season.