Noah Graham/Getty Images
Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 23
2018-19 Per-Game Stats: 6.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks
As Mark Medina of the Bay Area News Group revealed after Kevon Looney agreed to a one-year minimum deal with the Golden State Warriors this past offseason, the big man wasn’t always a lock to return to the Bay Area:
“Looney wanted to entertain other more lucrative offers with teams that could offer a larger role. Though he also fielded interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, Looney found it more appealing to stay with the Warriors because of his ongoing development and the team’s recent championship success. Looney has also set himself up for potentially another breakout season that could yield more offseason interest next summer.”
Looney didn’t exactly break out. That was always a difficult proposition on a roster featuring Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, especially with DeMarcus Cousins waiting to make a midseason return after rehabilitating his Achilles rupture.
But let’s not forget about what Looney was doing early in the year.
Before Cousins made his Dubs debut Jan. 18 and pushed Looney back to the bench, the 23-year-old was averaging 6.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.8 blocks while shooting 62.6 percent from the field.
He didn’t have the requisite touches to produce gaudy counting stats, but he proved himself a reliable rim-running roller who could also protect the basket as the last line of defense (see: 2.15 DRPM, which trails only Green and Andre Iguodala on the Golden State roster).
The Hawks already showed interest in Looney’s services, but their desire to acquire him should only be solidified after those improvements. He’s exactly what they need operating alongside Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and John Collins, given his efficient scoring around the basket when on the receiving end of pinpoint passes and his ability to salvage defensive possessions at the hoop.
Atlanta should have copious cap space this summer with just over $55 million committed (assuming Kent Bazemore picks up a $19.3 million option), and Dewayne Dedmon is coming off the books to leave a void at center. Using some of that financial flexibility on an upside-laden big who fits the desired archetype makes perfect sense.
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @fromal09.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats accurate heading into games March 1 and courtesy of Basketball Reference, NBA.com, PBPStats.com, NBA Math or ESPN.com.
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