Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 7
Lakers Sign Kevon Looney for $3.9 Million After Ayton Trade Opens Center Spot
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 7

Lakers Sign Kevon Looney for $3.9 Million After Ayton Trade Opens Center Spot

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 7

Summary

  • A one-year, $3.9 million deal gives Los Angeles veteran center Kevon Looney, who is expected to fill the backup role after Deandre Ayton was traded to Washington last week.
  • Looney arrives after 10 seasons with Golden State and a year in New Orleans, bringing three championship rings to a Lakers roster still reshaping around Luka Doncic.
  • The Lakers are also pressing to sign Jonathan Kuminga, but most of their cap flexibility was already spent on Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.
  • One roster spot remains, and L.A. has slightly improved its pitch to Kuminga even as he and agent Aaron Turner wait on richer options, including possible sign-and-trade paths involving Atlanta.
  • Cleveland and Sacramento have shown interest in Kuminga, but the Cavaliers are focused on LeBron James and the Kings would also need a sign-and-trade, leaving the Lakers as his most aggressive current suitor.

Insights

Having mortgaged their future for Kessler, what is the Lakers' backup plan if they cannot land Kuminga?
Can the hard-capped Lakers build a trade package for Kuminga that the Hawks would actually accept?