Reported Reasons Behind Kevon Looney’s Decision to Join the Lakers
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The Los Angeles Lakers have filled their backup center vacancy by reaching an agreement with veteran big man Kevon Looney, according to multiple reports.
Why Looney chose Los Angeles
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that Looney weighed offers from several teams but viewed the Lakers as the clearest path to meaningful minutes behind projected starter Walker Kessler. A source close to the 30-year-old center told McMenamin that Looney saw similarities between the Lakers’ half-court offense and the Golden State Warriors sets in which he screened for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. In Los Angeles, he hopes to replicate that role for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Off the court, the move brings Looney back to familiar territory. The three-time NBA champion played one collegiate season at UCLA, spends most off-seasons in Southern California and is set to marry his fiancée—also a former college basketball player at Cal State Northridge—this weekend.
Role and expectations
Entering his 12th NBA campaign, Looney is regarded as an elite screener and rebounder but is not expected to log heavy minutes. Kessler is slated to handle the bulk of the center workload, with Sandro Mamukelashvili available as a small-ball option and two-way signee AK Okereke providing additional depth. The Lakers could still pursue another frontcourt piece, though their current priority is adding a starting-caliber forward.
Looney’s résumé
Looney won championships with Golden State in 2017, 2018 and 2022. Although injuries limited him during the 2025-26 season with the New Orleans Pelicans, he remains one of the league’s most accomplished reserve big men.
Related roster move
The Lakers recently finalized a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler, sending the Utah Jazz two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps. Reports place Kessler’s new contract at four years and $130 million.
Source: LakersNation.com
