By Sunday 
The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to big moves—and the upcoming offseason looks like it’ll be no different. With championship dreams still fresh and a new franchise cornerstone in Luka Doncic, L.A. is on the hunt for reinforcements. One name now swirling in the rumor mill? None other than 3-time NBA champion Kevon Looney.
Let’s break down what this potential move could mean and why it might be sneakier (and smarter) than it seems.
Defense, Rebounding & the Luka Effect
Luka Doncic’s blockbuster arrival gave the Lakers exactly what they needed offensively. But after a tough playoff exit at the hands of the Timberwolves, two major needs stood out like a sore thumb: interior defense and rebounding.
The Lakers thought they had it solved at the deadline with a Mark Williams deal—until that fell apart. Now, they’re heading into the summer with a clear mission for Rob Pelinka: Get bigger. Get tougher. Get smarter.
Enter: Kevon Looney
Looney isn’t flashy, but he’s effective. At 29 years old, he’s a seasoned veteran with three rings to his name and a track record of doing the dirty work—boxing out, setting screens, and crashing the boards.
As Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints noted, “The Lakers could also target Kevon Looney using their taxpayer mid-level exception… If he was going to accept that contract, he’d likely get it from the Golden State Warriors, sources say.” Translation? L.A. would have to get aggressive.
But Looney makes sense. He played in 76 games last season, posted 6.1 rebounds per game, and shot a solid 51.4% from the floor—all while coming off the bench. He’s not a rim protector, but he is dependable. And dependable depth is golden in a long playoff grind.
Is He Worth the Heist?
Let’s not pretend this would be some LeBron-level signing. Looney isn’t about headlines—he’s about hustle. And for a Lakers squad that struggled on the glass and in second-chance points, a player like Looney could be the kind of under-the-radar pickup that wins a playoff series.
Plus, the championship DNA speaks for itself. Looney knows what it takes to go the distance. He’s been in the locker rooms, made the gritty plays, and lifted the trophy. That’s the kind of presence L.A. needs behind Anthony Davis and next to Luka Doncic.
What Happens Next?
It’s not a lock—Golden State still values him and could match any offer the Lakers make. But if Pelinka can pull this off using the taxpayer mid-level exception, it could quietly be one of the smartest depth moves of the summer.
The Lakers don’t need another star. They need glue guys. Veterans. Winners. And Kevon Looney checks every one of those boxes.
So, while all eyes are on splashy trades and cap gymnastics, keep an eye on this one. Because sometimes the most important pieces don’t make the most noise—until they’re celebrating in June. 🏆