Steve Kerr Sends Heartfelt Message to Kevon Looney After 10 Warriors Seasons

The Golden State coach bid farewell to a team stalwart.
Kevon Looney warms up before a playoff game against the Timberwolves.
Kevon Looney warms up before a playoff game against the Timberwolves. / Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

With very little fanfare, Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney carved out a significant niche in his team's history over the past 10 years. Dependable if never spectacular, he did ample grunt work in the post as the Warriors captured three NBA title in six seasons.

Now, he is off to the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year, $16 million contract—but not before Golden State coach Steve Kerr wished Looney a hearty goodbye Monday night.

"It's just been an amazing experience for me to coach you," Kerr said in a video message posted to the Warriors' social channels. "Just your professionalism, your dignity, your class, the way you handled yourself, the way you mentor your young teammates. And of course, the championship contributions that you made."

Picked 30th out of UCLA in the 2015 draft, Looney rose from an injury-marred early career to start 80 games for Golden State in its most recent championship season. In 2025, he averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 15 minutes per game, mostly off the bench.

"We can't thank you enough. I can't thank you enough," Kerr said. "Thrilled for you for your opportunity in New Orleans. ... Thank you for everything."


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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .