2018 NBA free agency grades: Warriors get Kevon Looney back

The Golden State Warriors have successfully started retaining their players, agreeing to sign 22-year-old forward Kevon Looney to a one-year minimum contract.

After a great season, which was topped by winning the NBA championship, the Golden State Warriors, like every other team, have things to do during free agency. Even though they ended up with yet another superstar in DeMarcus Cousins *awkward silence*, they still have to possess a solid bench unit in order to be the ultimate favorites to win it all once again, while completing their three-peat.

As a result, the Warriors proceeded to offer a minimum contract to Kevon Looney, which he immediately accepted, seemingly without even considering other teams. To be honest, can you really blame a guy for wanting to three-peat in just four seasons in the NBA? Most players go their entire career without even coming close to one title.

Looney has been a consistent part of Golden State’s rotation since he arrived in Oakland, helping the team with his defensive skills. Having the big 4/small-ball 5 on your team means you won’t get the ball in your hands that often. That’s when a player’s ability to adjust his game comes into play. Looney has done everything the Warriors have asked for since day one.

Kevon Looney was the 30th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and has played almost every game during the last two seasons, while also starting in a few games during the 2018 NBA Playoffs. With JaVale McGee joining the Lakers and Boogie still recovering from his Achilles injury, Looney will have a much bigger role in the upcoming season. Steve Kerr will have to put his thought into starting Looney or second-year big Jordan Bell at the center position.

There is no doubt that this was a good move for the Golden State Warriors. They got a versatile defender to add to a squad full of great defenders like Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Looney is a young, hungry guy who will look to improve upon his game as he slowly enters his prime years.

Last season, the former UCLA player averaged 4.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in just 13.8 minutes per game over the 66 games he appeared in. His minutes were slightly boosted during the postseason.

During the playoffs, Looney emerged as the most dependable big the Warriors had. He was solid all throughout the first two rounds against San Antonio and New Orleans and ended up in the starting rotation during the last four games against Houston and in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals against Cleveland.

Kevon does have a lot to prove this upcoming season though. He needs to show the Warriors and the entire NBA that he deserved a multi-year contract instead. He needs to show the world that he deserves a contract that would make him earn around $10 million a season. An increase in his minutes can certainly help him prove all those things. The ball is in his court now.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Grade: A-