The Golden State Warriors’ 2024-25 season was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, culminating in a bittersweet farewell that has left fans reeling. After a blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler at the NBA trade deadline, the Warriors surged to a 22-8 record, tying for the third-best mark in the league. Their playoff run showed promise as the No. 7 seed, with a first-round upset over the Houston Rockets. But the dream unraveled in the second round when Stephen Curry, the heart and soul of the franchise, went down with a hamstring injury in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Without their superstar, the Warriors fell in five games, ending their championship hopes.
As the offseason unfolds, a seismic shift has rocked Dub Nation. Kevon Looney, the beloved 6-foot-9 forward and a cornerstone of Golden State’s dynasty, is no longer a Warrior. Last Monday, Looney inked a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, closing the chapter on his decade-long tenure with the team that drafted him 30th overall in 2015. The news hit hard for fans who cherished Looney’s relentless hustle, selfless play, and quiet leadership, which helped secure three NBA titles (2017, 2018, 2022) alongside Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.
Looney bid farewell to the Bay Area in a heartfelt collaborative post with The Players’ Tribune on Sunday, sharing his gratitude and deep connection to the Warriors’ community. “I’m Bay Area for life, no matter where I go,” he wrote, a sentiment that resonated deeply with fans who watched him grow from a rookie to a championship cornerstone. The post was a love letter to the city and team that embraced him for nine seasons, where he averaged 5.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 599 regular-season games.
Stephen Curry, Looney’s teammate since 2015, amplified the emotional weight of the moment by reposting the message on his Instagram story. His response was short but powerful: “Forever a legend Toon!!!! ‘17 on the clock!’” The nod to Looney’s nickname and their shared 2017 championship run sent fans into a frenzy, with social media buzzing about the bond between the two stars. Curry’s message was a reminder of the brotherhood forged through years of battling together, from epic playoff victories to the grind of rebuilding seasons.
As Curry prepares for his 17th NBA season, he’ll take the court without one of his most trusted allies. Looney’s departure marks the end of an era for a Warriors squad already navigating change after their playoff exit. While the addition of Butler signaled ambition, Curry’s injury and Looney’s exit underscore the challenges ahead for a team chasing its fifth title in a decade. For now, fans are left cherishing memories of Looney’s tenacious rebounds and Curry’s heartfelt tribute, a testament to a partnership that defined a golden age in Golden State.