The Los Angeles Lakers continue reshaping their roster, and now they just got their new backup center. They signed veteran center Kevon Looney to a one-year deal to solidify their center rotation along with Walker Kessler.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Looney signed a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Lakers. The move comes shortly after Los Angeles traded DeAndre Ayton to the Washington Wizards. This left the team in need of another center to round out the rotation.
Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed on a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/fxfdg3yhSV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2026
Looney doesn’t provide the athleticism of some of the other centers available this offseason. But he gives the Lakers an experienced, dependable veteran who understands how to play alongside star ball handlers. More importantly, he has played in a winning environment.
Championship Experience
Looney enters his 12th NBA season with three championship rings. He spent the majority of his career with the Golden State Warriors. During that time, he became one of the league’s most trusted role players, helping anchor lineups featuring Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
His ability to do the little things has long been appreciated around the league. Looney rarely needs the ball in his hands, consistently boxes out, creates extra possessions on the offensive glass and sets hard screens that create space for guards.
Those traits should translate well alongside Doncic and Austin Reaves, even if he won’t replicate the vertical threat Hayes provided in the pick-and-roll game.
Insurance Behind Walker Kessler
After using significant draft capital to acquire Walker Kessler, the organization is clearly committed to making him its long-term starter. However, Kessler has dealt with injuries throughout his career, making the backup center position especially important over an 82-game season.
Looney gives the Lakers a player capable of stepping into larger minutes when needed while providing stability throughout the regular season. Although he appeared in only 21 games with the New Orleans Pelicans last season, he had previously established himself as one of the NBA’s most durable big men, playing at least 74 games in four consecutive seasons before last year.
The contract also preserves financial flexibility, as Looney signed for the veteran minimum despite the $3.9 million salary.
A Step Towards More
The Lakers may not be finished adding to their roster, particularly on the wing, but they have now addressed another position of need. Looney may not generate the same excitement as some of the bigger offseason additions, yet his experience, rebounding and professionalism should give Los Angeles a reliable backup as it continues building around Luka Doncic and Walker Kessler.
