In a stunning move that has sent ripples through the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans have inked a two-year, $16 million deal with Kevon Looney, a three-time champion and long-time Golden State Warriors stalwart. The signing raised eyebrows across the league—not because of Looney’s talent, but because of the Pelicans’ already crowded frontcourt featuring young stars like Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, and Derik Queen. With playing time far from guaranteed, why would the Pelicans make such a bold investment? According to General Manager Joe Dumars, the answer lies far beyond the stat sheet.
In an exclusive sit-down with The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears, Dumars pulled back the curtain on the Pelicans’ strategy, revealing that Looney’s signing was less about his on-court production and more about his veteran presence in a locker room brimming with youth. “I thought that [Kevon] Looney was the perfect guy for a team full of guys who were 25, 26 years old,” Dumars said. “The thing about Looney is he’s 29 years old, but he has a ton of experience. He’s a veteran, high-caliber pro. I thought the perfect guy to be in this locker room every day is a guy like Looney.”
Looney, who spent a decade with the Warriors, brings a resume that includes three NBA championships and a reputation as a selfless, hard-nosed competitor. However, his final seasons in Golden State were marred by frustration over inconsistent playing time, particularly in the playoffs, where the Warriors were often outmuscled on the boards by teams like the Houston Rockets. For Looney, the move to New Orleans offers a fresh start—but one where his role may be more about leadership than logging heavy minutes.
At 29, Looney is the elder statesman on a Pelicans roster that boasts seven players on standard NBA contracts aged 25 or younger, including rising stars like Dejounte Murray, who is eight months Looney’s junior. With a team this young, many of whom have yet to taste playoff basketball, Looney’s championship pedigree could be the secret weapon the Pelicans need to unlock their potential. His experience in high-stakes environments, from battling LeBron James in the Finals to anchoring Golden State’s frontcourt, is something no other player on the roster can match.
Kevon Looney on what pushed him to want out of Golden State:
“It wasn’t just one moment. Even this year in the playoffs—we’re going up against Steven Adams, and that’s the kind of matchup I thrive in. That’s what I do. But I wasn’t given the opportunity to do my job. It felt… pic.twitter.com/o4hsJ3VKQC
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 15, 2025
Dumars’ vision is clear: Looney’s value lies in his ability to mentor and stabilize a talented but untested core. The Pelicans are banking on his professionalism and battle-tested mentality to guide their young stars through the grind of an NBA season and, hopefully, into the postseason. While the $16 million price tag may seem steep for a player whose minutes are uncertain, Dumars sees it as an investment in culture—a move to transform a promising roster into a cohesive, playoff-ready unit.
As the Pelicans gear up for a season filled with high expectations, all eyes will be on Looney—not just for his rebounds or hustle plays, but for the intangible impact he’ll have on a team searching for an identity. If Dumars’ gamble pays off, Looney’s signing could be remembered as the move that turned a young, talented squad into a legitimate contender.