Lakers agree to terms with veteran center Kevon Looney to stabilize the backup frontcourt

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran center Kevon Looney, a move designed to address a specific need at backup center while the team continues to build a more balanced rotation for the postseason. The agreement gives the Lakers an experienced big man known for physicality, screening, and steady positioning, skills that tend to show up in the margins of playoff matchups.

According to reporting cited by ESPN, Looney’s deal is worth $3.9 million. The Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar told ESPN about the contract value, and the figure was echoed in subsequent coverage. The Lakers are not just adding size, they are adding institutional knowledge, including previous championship experience as part of Golden State’s run of titles.

Looney’s fit is tied to how Los Angeles has organized its frontcourt. Recent Lakers roster moves have pointed to Walker Kessler as the starter, with Looney expected to handle the backup minutes and continue to provide high-IQ minutes when the game tightens. In the process, the Lakers also moved last year’s starting center, Deandre Ayton, to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks, and Jaxson Hayes reportedly signed with the Utah Jazz as the prior backup option.

That chain of roster changes helps explain why this signing is so focused. Rather than chasing a developmental center, the Lakers appear to be prioritizing reliability behind their starter. In the free-agent market, Looney was described as one of the top available backup centers, a category that matters for teams that want their stars protected from foul trouble and their schemes consistent across different rotations.

Looney’s background is also part of what Los Angeles is buying. He was a key piece during the Warriors dynasty era alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala, and he comes in with an understanding of system basketball and what playoff opponents try to take away. That experience is relevant for a Lakers club that has often relied on matchup-specific adjustments in the second half of games.

Still, the context around last season matters for any projection. Coverage notes that Looney spent time with the New Orleans Pelicans and appeared in a limited number of games, averaging 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21 contests. That kind of usage does not erase his strengths, but it does suggest the Lakers may be aiming to manage his minutes while getting maximum value when he is on the floor.

For the Lakers, the next question is how quickly Looney and the current rotation can sync into the team’s playstyle. If the frontcourt is working as reported, the immediate watch items are the division of responsibilities between Kessler’s starter workload and Looney’s backup role, and whether Los Angeles can keep its pick-and-roll coverage and screen efficiency consistent through different lineups. Training camp and early preseason rotations will likely make the plan clearer.