As the Golden State Warriors have sunk into mediocrity over the last month, their rotation has been constantly changing. Some players have been essentially removed, while others, such as Trayce Jackson-Davis, have seen their roles expand.
However, one player has been almost absent from recent games. Kevon Looney has not played in four of the Warriors’ last six games, with his only appearance coming in garbage time against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Kevon Looney could find himself on the trade block
Following the acquisition of Dennis Schröder, the Warriors plan to remain aggressive in the trade market. Looney’s diminished role makes him a more probable candidate for inclusion in any trades that may occur this season.
The 28-year-old has never been recognized for his offense and has remained with the Warriors mostly because of his defensive presence and rebounding, whether as a starter or bench player. In 30 games this season, Looney has averaging 5.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. While these figures are broadly consistent with his career averages, his on-court effectiveness has dropped significantly since last season. His current two-point percentage is 54.1%, down more than 5% from last year, and his free throw percentage is a dismal 43.2%.
In recent games, head coach Steve Kerr has used a small-ball bench lineup, with Moses Moody and/or Kyle Anderson playing above their usual position and being tasked with guarding and physically matching giants like Zach Edey or Joel Embiid.
The fact that the 6’9″ Looney is viewed as a less optimum fit in the rotation for those minutes than Anderson or Moody indicates a significant drop in confidence on the side of the coaching staff. Additionally, Jackson-Davis’ sudden breakthrough into the starting lineup has helped to keep Looney out of the rotation.
With the Warriors obviously out on disgruntled Miami Heat player Jimmy Butler, their most sorely needed (and likely) trade acquisition is a floor-spacing center. Trayce Jackson-Davis has recently performed well, but he has been outmuscled by rival top big men and would certainly benefit from coming off the bench.
Looney, who earns $8 million on an expiring contract this year, would be a nearly mandatory inclusion in such a deal. Any team that trades a starting center, such as the Washington Wizards or Chicago Bulls, will need to replace that player on the back end.
While Looney’s deal would only partially address the salary-matching difficulties surrounding such a trade, his senior presence would be an intriguing addition to a rebuilding squad. As the trade deadline approaches, Kevon Looney’s name is likely to come up in trade negotiations for any acquisitions the Warriors may make.
