Lakers fill the backup-center role by signing veteran Kevon Looney

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran center Kevon Looney, according to people familiar with the situation cited by the Los Angeles Times. The move gives the Lakers a proven frontcourt option behind starter Walker Kessler as they reshape the rotation heading into the next NBA season.

Looney, listed at 6-foot-9, has spent 11 NBA seasons with Golden State, and he played a central role on Warriors teams that won championships in 2017, 2018 and 2021. That championship experience is the primary storyline around the signing, with the Lakers looking for steadiness in the minutes typically occupied by a backup big who can defend multiple looks and contribute in the physical parts of the game.

In Los Angeles, Looney’s fit is also practical. The Lakers previously moved on from last season’s center and backup center, and the team’s center depth has centered around Kessler, acquired in a trade from Utah. With Kessler as the established anchor, Looney is expected to provide the rebound-and-screen skill set that teams often want from a reserve center, especially in matchups where the second unit faces quicker or more perimeter-oriented lineups.

The reported contract is one year and $3.9 million, an amount that aligns with the typical market for veteran role centers rather than a long-term franchise commitment. Beyond the price, the basketball rationale is straightforward: the Lakers needed a reliable option who understands team defense and can absorb the bumps that come with being the primary reserve at center.

The signing does not appear to close the Lakers’ offseason plan for other roster needs. The Times also reported that Los Angeles continues pursuing free-agent wing/athletic forward Jonathan Kuminga, describing the pursuit as potentially involving a two-year deal worth about $20 million. Kuminga, described in the reporting as a young wing with size who has produced both scoring and rebounding while taking three-point shots, is the kind of profile the Lakers have been linked to for the small forward role.

As with any offseason transaction, the final picture will depend on training-camp usage. Looney’s value will likely be measured in how quickly he settles into the Lakers’ defensive assignments, how consistently he screens for teammates, and whether he can keep the floor balanced when the starters rest. If those elements show up early, the Lakers’ second unit should be more stable than what can happen when teams cycle through unproven depth.

The next watch item is whether the Lakers can complete their broader roster work while also integrating Looney. If the Kuminga pursuit continues to progress, Los Angeles would be trying to add a dynamic, youth-driven piece while simultaneously locking in veteran stability at the center position.

For now, the Looney deal is the clearest move on the front line: the Lakers have secured a championship-tested backup big, one that can support Kessler and reduce risk around the rotation as the team moves deeper into offseason decisions.