Kevon

Looney

The 30th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Looney is back in the Pacific Division after one season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Having spent his entire NBA career outside of the 2024-25 campaign with the Warriors, the veteran center was limited to just 21 appearances last season. While Looney will give the Lakers the needed depth at center behind new starter Walker Kessler, he’s unlikely to have an impact on fantasy basketball.

Looney’s first season away from Golden State was one of the least productive of his career. The veteran forward appeared in just 21 games, averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.6 minutes per game. His on-court impact was minimal for a struggling Pelicans team, and his fantasy basketball impact was even less. He is not expected to have value in fantasy leagues next season.

The continued absences of Williamson and Missi are most impactful, as Derik Queen and Kevon Looney have served as the starting power forward and center. That should remain the case on Sunday, with Queen more likely to play starters’ minutes. As for Matković, his continued absence does not significantly affect the Pelicans’ rotation.

Friday’s game will be the second straight that Williamson has missed, but he was never ruled out for Tuesday’s win over the Jazz. He won’t play against the Celtics for injury management reasons, which may result in a second consecutive start for Kevon Looney.

Recording his 12th double-double of the season, Queen finished Tuesday’s victory three assists shy of his third triple-double. And much to the delight of the Pelicans, the rookie center enjoyed one of his most impactful games as a defender. More active on that end of the floor, Queen recorded three steals and two blocked shots. Having veteran Kevon Looney (7/12/6/2/1 with one three-pointer) on the floor likely helped, but that should not be used to take away from Queen’s performance.

Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson are active for Tuesday’s game, but none are expected to play according to interim head coach James Borrego. Fears is the lone holdover from the lineup that started Sunday’s loss to the Magic, with Poole, Peavy, Queen and Looney all starting.

Missi was held out of the Pelicans’ final game before the All-Star break, and he isn’t healthy enough to play on Friday. The second-year center’s continued absence frees up minutes for Karlo Matković and Kevon Looney, but neither is a must-stream option in fantasy leagues.

Missi was a very late addition to the injury report, so it isn’t surprising that he won’t suit up against Miami. Karlo Matkovic and Kevon Looney should fill out the backup center minutes behind Derik Queen.

Missi has been added to the injury report less than half an hour before the starting tip. It would be surprising if they added him this close to the start of the game just for him to play, so it will likely be Karlo Matkovic and Kevon Looney filling out the reserve center minutes.

Queen did not play in Friday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, resulting in Yves Missi moving into the starting lineup. Also, Kevon Looney and Karlo Matković each surpassed 20 minutes off the bench. All three will see their minutes decrease with Queen in the fold, and there’s no need to stream any of them in most leagues.