Kevon Looney drops truth bomb on Warriors departure

Former Golden State Warriors veteran center Kevon Looney’s minimal role in 2024-25 ultimately led to his departure. Looney penned a special tribute to Warriors fans in the Players Tribune after signing a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 10-year vet revealed his MVP chants at Oracle Arena was his favorite memory. However, Kevon knew by the end of Golden State’s playoff run — Game 7 against the Houston Rockets — it was time to move on.

Looney opened up about growing frustrated with his role as a third-string center, per Warriors Plus Minus podcast.

“We’re going against Steven Adams. This is what I do. It’s like ya’ll don’t trust me,” Looney said. “They put me in that, at the end of Game 7, while we were out the way at that point. They’re not giving me the chance to really let me do what I do. It’s like, alright, y’all don’t trust me. I thought y’all would trust me.”

Instead, Looney watched Warriors rookie Quinten Post receive playing time in the playoffs. Was that the final straw?

“I guess. I wouldn’t say that. Quint is my guy,” Looney said. “But it was anybody but me, it seemed like at this point.”

For Looney, it seemed like all the signs pointed toward his exit from the team. He didn’t want to blame the Warriors rookie. However, it was difficult feeling like the odd man out.

“They all seemed the same,” Looney added. “I don’t wanna put nobody out there. It wasn’t one moment.”

Amid his 10th NBA season, Looney admits feeling like the last guy Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called upon was a role that got stale in 2024-25.

“You get sick of that at some point,” Looney said. “When you prove yourself the first four or five years, at the tenth year it’s like, ah you either trust me or you don’t.”