In a stunning revelation that has sent ripples through the NBA community, Kevon Looney, the Golden State Warriors’ stalwart center of a decade, has opened up about the real reasons behind his departure to the New Orleans Pelicans. After 10 seasons, 599 regular-season games, and three NBA championships with the Warriors, Looney’s exit in free agency wasn’t driven by a chase for a bigger paycheck—it was about trust, or the lack thereof, from the organization he called home.
Looney’s tenure with Golden State was defined by his relentless work ethic, defensive prowess, and ability to battle in the paint against the league’s toughest big men. But during the Warriors’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, Looney found himself sidelined in a way that cut deeper than any contract negotiation could. Despite facing a physically imposing center in Steven Adams—a matchup tailor-made for Looney’s rugged style—he was relegated to the bench, never playing more than 14 minutes in any game of the seven-game series. The low point came in Game 6, a crushing 115–107 loss, where Looney logged a mere two minutes on the court.
Speaking candidly on the Warriors Plus Minus podcast, Looney didn’t hold back. “We’re going up against Steven Adams, this is what I do,” he said, his frustration palpable. “They’re not really giving me the chance to let me do what I do. It’s like, alright, you guys don’t trust me.” For a player who had been a cornerstone of Golden State’s dynasty, the lack of faith from the organization was a bitter pill to swallow.
This perceived betrayal became the catalyst for Looney’s decision to explore free agency. Ultimately, he inked a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, a move that offers him a fresh start and a chance to reunite with former Warriors teammate Jordan Poole. In New Orleans, Looney is poised to carve out a significant role in the Pelicans’ frontcourt, where his defensive tenacity and veteran savvy will be invaluable.
Looney’s departure marks the end of an era for the Warriors, who lose not just a reliable big man but a player who embodied their culture of resilience and teamwork. For Looney, however, this move is about more than minutes or money—it’s about reclaiming his place on the court and proving that he’s still one of the league’s toughest competitors. As he embarks on this new chapter with the Pelicans, the NBA world will be watching to see how Looney rises to the challenge, fueled by a fire lit by the Warriors’ lack of trust.