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Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to re-sign with the Warriors on a one-year minimum contract, confirmed Tuesday night's The Chronicle at ESPN.
ESPN was the first to report the news.
The return of Looney is the latest development of what has been a remarkably successful free agency period for Golden State. In addition to Looney's return, Kevin Durant has accepted a "one plus one" deal, and All Star DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a one-year, $ 5.3 million contract for four years.
At age 22 All five positions, Looney is the type of young, small ball center appreciated in the modern NBA. But it's his diligence, not any physical tool, that has attracted him the most toward head coach Steve Kerr.
Last summer, after a second season of injury, Looney was desperately looking for something – no matter what – to help her resume her career. . After talking with his teammates and coaches, he decided that defensive versatility would be his hallmark.
Finally in good health, Looney followed a variation of the Paleo diet and lost 30 pounds of her 6-foot-9 frame. In races open at UCLA, after 5-on-5 games, Looney often enlisted three guards for a 2-on-2. During these sessions, he came to understand the angles and l? spacing needed to stand in front of smaller and faster players.
![Kevon Looney (5) sits on the sideline during the first game of the NBA Finale State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, California, on Thursday, May 31, 2018. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle [19659008] Kevon Looney (5) sits on the sideline during the opening game of the NBA Finale between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, California on Thursday, May 31, 2018.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/73/74/17/15713251/13/920x920.jpg)
Kevon Looney (5) is on the sideline for a timeout in Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, California on Thursday, May 31, 2018. [19659011] Kevon Looney (5) is on the sideline for a timeout in the opening game of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, California on Thursday, May 31, 2018.
Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle
Still buried in the depth chart at the end of October, Looney did not get his Fourth-year option recovered by Golden State. It was not until mid-January that Jordan Bell sprained his ankle that Looney began to carve out a rotating spot.
After averaging 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game in February, he averaged 6.6 points. , 1.5 blocks and 1.2 interceptions in 21.1 minutes in March. Kerr started throwing him against small queues. After playing in solid defense against Houston's Chris Paul and James Harden in the Western Conference finals, Looney played a role in the Warriors' NBA Cleveland sweep with eight points and four rebounds in the opening match [19659016]. whether Golden State wanted to re-sign Looney, but if the team could afford it. The problem for the Warriors was that, because they refused his fourth-year option, they could only offer him $ 2.2 million
. However, the decrease in free agency funds has detracted from the market value of Looney. Now that Looney is back, the Golden State Center rotation is scheduled for Cousins, Looney, Jordan Bell and Damian Jones. Cousins will not be available until at least December after suffering an Achilles injury ending last January.
The warriors are expected to say goodbye to Zaza Pachulia. David West, one of the best players in Golden State at age 37, is weighing retirement. If he decides to play another season, the Warriors could welcome him on a minimum deal.
Including Durant, Cousins and Looney, Golden State, who can not sign free agents until the moratorium ends Friday, has 12 players on the books next season. The status of restricted free agent custody Patrick McCaw remains in the midst of change.
Connor Letourneau is a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @Con_Chron
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