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NBA Free Agency: Top 5 best contracts this offseason

By Holden Walter-Warner

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 25: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz pressures Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of their game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 25: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz pressures Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of their game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NBA Free Agency
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors drunks during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California, NBA Free Agency: Top 5 best contracts this offseason. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

NBA Free Agency: Top 5 best contracts this offseason: 1. Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors

This is how the Golden State Warriors stay winning, right? After another run to the title, the franchise locked up one of its underrated contributors to a team-friendly deal.

Looney broke out for the Warriors, seven years after the team drafted him in the first round. He had an opportunity to cash in on the open market before deciding to come back to Golden State on a three-year, $25.5 million deal.

Part of the reason Looney may have been willing to take a team-friendly deal is that he’s more valuable to the Warriors than he is to another franchise. He simply fits what Steve Kerr is trying to do on the court.

The 26-year-old shed his injury-prone label, playing in every regular season and postseason game for the Warriors. He averaged 6.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, serving as a leader for young big man James Wiseman.

Looney’s impact was never felt as much as it was during the Western Conference Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks. Looney embarrassed the Mavs on the boards repeatedly and even went for 21 points and 12 rebounds in one game. Dallas’ acquisition of Christian Wood could be seen as a reaction to that series.

The big man taking less than he probably needed to will be one of many factors that pry the Warriors’ contention window open for even longer as the team embarks on a quest for their fifth title in recent years. If the Golden State Warriors dynasty continues to roll, this contract could be a significant reason why.

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