BREAKING: Lakers Sign 3-Time NBA Champion to $3,900,000 Contract
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers’ busy offseason continued on Tuesday when they landed a three-time NBA champ to bolster their frontline.
After trading former starting center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards, the Lakers acquired a proven playoff performer via free agency. The move adds depth to a frontcourt that is now headed by marquee signing Walker Kessler.
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Lakers Make Veteran Splash With $3.9 Million Contract for 3-Time Champion Kevon Looney
The Lakers revamped the lineup after LeBron James announced late last month that he would not return. GM Rob Pelinka, after Luka Dončić’s public appeal to add an “A-list center,” did as expected by acquiring Kessler from the Utah Jazz.
Pelinka continued retooling the roster by adding Sandro Mamukelashvili, who had a breakout season with the Toronto Raptors.
On Tuesday, NBA insider Shams Charania announced the Lakers’ latest offseason move:
“Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed on a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar tells ESPN.”
Charania added how Looney could help the Lakers:
“The Lakers acquire one of the top available backup centers, and Looney, a three-time NBA champion, provides experience and pick-and-roll play for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves after all of those years running screens for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala in the Bay Area.”
Frontcourt depth was necessary for the Lakers since only Kessler and Mamukelashvili could patrol the paint. LA’s options for frontline help decreased when Andre Drummond decided to sign with the New York Knicks.
Jonas Valanciunas, another serviceable backup big man who was rumored to be on LA’s radar, seems intent on returning to Europe, a situation that likely took him off the Lakers’ list.
Pelinka acted fast enough to swoop in on Looney, who reportedly had the interest of multiple teams. The 30-year-old big man played his first 10 NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors, helping the franchise to three championships.
After the Dubs allowed him to leave last summer, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.
This past season with the Pelicans, the 6-foot-9 center averaged 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. A nagging left knee injury limited him to 21 games, eight of which he started.
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LA is counting on a healthy Looney next season to provide much-needed frontcourt help behind Kessler, its $130 million signing.
By signing with the Lakers, Looney also joined a list of former Warriors centers who eventually suited up for the Purple and Gold franchise. JaVale McGee and DeMarcus Cousins also took their talents to Hollywood after a stint in the Bay Area.