Pelicans Signing Longtime Warriors Big Man Kevon Looney

Kevon Looney’s long run with the Golden State Warriors is coming to a close. The veteran big man has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The move ends Looney’s nine-season tenure with Golden State, where he became a staple of the franchise’s championship core.

Looney, 28, joins a retooled New Orleans frontcourt that features Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, rookie Derik Queen and defensive standout Herbert Jones. He’ll bring experience, toughness and consistency to a group looking to take the next step in the Western Conference.

Known for his durability and steady defensive presence, Looney has played in at least 74 games in each of the past four seasons, including 76 appearances in 2024–25. While his role shrank last season with the emergence of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post, Looney remained effective in limited minutes, averaging 4.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 15 minutes per game.

Originally a late first-round pick in 2015, Looney played all 597 of his career regular-season games with the Warriors. He was a key contributor to Golden State’s championship runs in 2018 and 2022, earning a reputation as a reliable rebounder and low-maintenance glue guy.

His first appearance in a Pelicans uniform will mark his 600th career NBA game.

New Orleans recently acquired guard Jordan Poole in a trade with the Washington Wizards. Guard CJ McCollum went to Washington in the deal.