The NBA offseason is heating up with significant moves shaping the futures of several teams, especially the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans. After a decade-long tenure with the Warriors, Kevon Looney is moving on, while the Warriors are targeting a seasoned veteran to shore up their frontcourt.
Kevon Looney, 29, who played ten seasons with the Golden State Warriors, has reportedly signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Drafted 30th overall by Golden State in 2015 out of UCLA, Looney became a beloved figure in the Warriors' locker room and a key contributor on the court. He was instrumental in the Warriors’ championship successes in 2017, 2018, and notably in 2022, where he delivered a standout 22-rebound performance to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs. His consistency was remarkable, setting a franchise record for consecutive games played at 290 before it ended in 2024.
Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach, often referred to Looney as the “moral compass” of the team, praising his steadiness and wisdom both on and off the court. Looney’s durability and dependability made him a cornerstone during Golden State’s recent championship runs. However, his role diminished last season as the Warriors experimented with small-ball lineups, featuring Draymond Green more at center and rookie Quinten Post to add frontcourt shooting. With Looney’s departure, Golden State now relies on Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis, both former second-round picks, to fill the center position.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have undergone a peculiar offseason shakeup. They replaced executive David Griffin with Joe Dumars, who has not run basketball operations for over a decade. Dumars then appointed Troy Weaver, who previously struggled in Detroit, as general manager. The Pelicans made a bold trade by sending veteran guard CJ McCollum to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jordan Poole, who will reunite with Looney in New Orleans. Poole is under contract for two more years with a $128 million deal, which is considered by many in the league as an underwhelming value for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans also traded their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up ten spots in the draft to select Maryland big man Derik Queen, signaling an aggressive approach to rebuilding the frontcourt. The team’s big men now include Queen, Looney, Zion Williamson, and promising young center Yves Missi. How Dumars and Weaver will manage key players like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones remains uncertain as they navigate this new roster configuration.
Back on the West Coast, the Golden State Warriors are actively seeking to fill the void left by Looney’s departure. Their focus has turned to veteran center Al Horford, a five-time NBA All-Star, former All-NBA and All-Defensive team member, and 2024 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics. Horford, now 39 years old, is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has emerged as a top target for the Warriors, according to NBA insider Marc Stein and other league sources.
Horford’s playing style fits perfectly with the Warriors’ needs. Last season with the Celtics, he averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor with outside shooting and provide solid defense makes him an attractive option for Golden State’s motion offense under Steve Kerr. Moreover, Horford’s veteran presence is expected to be invaluable in mentoring younger big men like Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis, both of whom struggled to maintain consistent minutes during the Warriors’ recent playoff run.
However, the Warriors’ pursuit of Horford hinges on the situation with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga’s $22.9 million cap hold could limit Golden State’s flexibility in signing Horford and filling out the rest of the roster. The team faces a delicate balancing act between retaining young talent and adding experienced players to remain competitive.
Adding Horford would give the Warriors a much-needed starting center to complement their star trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. The 6-foot-9 big man’s defensive skills and floor spacing would address a glaring hole that has persisted in Golden State’s frontcourt for years. Despite his age, Horford brings championship experience, intelligence, and leadership, qualities that the Warriors value highly, especially after successfully integrating veterans like Butler in recent seasons.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets have made waves by acquiring superstar Kevin Durant in a trade that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 draft pick Khaman Maluach to the Phoenix Suns. Houston has further bolstered its roster by signing floor-spacing forward Dorian Finney-Smith and rim protector Clint Capela. The Rockets’ frontcourt depth is impressive, with Jabari Smith Jr. extended, Fred VanVleet’s deal restructured, and veterans Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green retained. The projected starting lineup of VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Smith, and Alperen Sengun presents a formidable challenge to the defending champions.
In other player movement news, former Warriors guard Ty Jerome has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $28 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Jerome, who missed almost the entire previous season due to an ankle injury, flourished as a third guard in Cleveland last season, averaging 12.5 points and 3.4 assists per game and finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. His shooting ability provides Memphis with flexibility to play alongside star guard Ja Morant in significant minutes.
The NBA offseason continues to unfold with these intriguing roster changes, signaling a fiercely competitive upcoming season. The Warriors’ decision to part ways with Looney and target Horford reveals a strategic shift aimed at balancing youth and experience. Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ bold moves reflect their ambition to build a competitive team around their young core. As free agency progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how these moves translate on the court.
