Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn't underrate his young frontcourt player prior to inserting Kevon Looney in the starting lineup for the injured Andre Iguodala.
“He’s going to have a long career,” Kerr said of Looney prior to a Game 4 loss, according to Logan Murdock of the San Jose Mercury News. “Hopefully with us.”
Looney seemed destined to be three-and-out after playing very seldom in his first season in the league and failing to up his game enough to garner more minutes in the rotation.
With the help of Iguodala, the man he replaced on Tuesday night, he shed over 30 pounds, going down to a lighter, more mobile 220 pounds, which has helped his conditioning and overall floor game this season.
Looney has played himself into a key part of the rotation for his improved defense and his relentless attack of the offensive glass, generating extra possessions for the Warriors.
Golden State did not sign him to a team-option, rendering him an unrestricted free agent for 2018 — making him a hard keep with the Warriors so high in the luxury tax as is.
After this breakout season, it could be tough to keep him by the time the season ends — but nothing like the coach's personal endorsement to encourage a potential stay.
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