Report: Kevon Looney exercising $5,178,572 player option with Warriors

By
Dan Feldman,

By
Dan Feldman

Published June 29, 2021 11:41 AM

Warriors center Kevon Looney — SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors looks to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center on May 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Warriors re-signed Kevon Looney for nearly $15 million over three years in 2019.

But he just hasn’t stayed healthy.

So, he’s exercising his $5,178,572 player option.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

Kevon Looney is exercising his $5.1M option to return to the Golden State Warriors next season, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2021

Golden State‘s luxury tax projects to be about $162 million next season.

And that’s without re-signing Kelly Oubre, signing-and-trading him or using the mid-level exception.

Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber will decide how much they’re willing to spend. Looney can contribute.

But it wouldn’t be surprising to see Golden State trim salary before the tax is assessed on the final day of the regular season – potentially by unloading Looney.