Lakers Add Kevon Looney on One-Year, $3.9 Million Deal
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The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement with free agent center Kevon Looney on a one-year, $3.9 million contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on July 7, 2026.
Looney, 30, is expected to slot in as the primary backup to newly acquired starter Walker Kessler. The Lakers created the opening when they sent Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards earlier this week, a move that also replenished part of the draft capital used to land Kessler.
A three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, Looney brings postseason experience and proven screen-setting ability to a roster now built around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The 6-foot-9 big man played his college basketball at UCLA before the Warriors selected him 30th overall in the 2015 draft.
Looney spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, appearing in 21 games and averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 14.6 minutes. His limited workload followed eight seasons in Golden State, where he was a mainstay in the Warriors’ rotation during three championship runs.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham could still explore additional frontcourt options, though forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is also a candidate for minutes at center in smaller lineups.
The signing continues an offseason overhaul in Los Angeles. Six of last year’s top nine players—LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard and Ayton—have either departed or are expected to leave in free agency or via trade.
Source: LakersNation.com
