Looney will sign a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Lakers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The Lakers add some additional depth to their frontcourt. Presumably, Looney will slot in as the third-string center behind Walker Kessler and Sandro Mamukelashvili. With the Pelicans in 2025-26, Looney appeared in 21 regular-season games and averaged 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Pelicans' Kevon Looney: Expected to enter free agency
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The Pelicans are expected to decline the $8 million team option on Looney's contract, Chris Haynes of NBA TV reports.
After spending the first 10 years of his career with Golden State, Looney joined New Orleans for the 2025-26 campaign. The veteran big man played a limited role for the club and appeared in just 21 regular-season games (eight starts), averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 14.7 minutes per contest. He's now expected to enter unrestricted free agency.
Looney is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale in Minnesota.
Josh Oduro will replace Looney in the first unit for Sunday's game, and with the Pelicans mathematically eliminated from the postseason, Looney might not be in the rotation. As a reserve this season, Looney has averaged 2.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
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Pelicans' Kevon Looney: Starting Tuesday
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Looney will start Tuesday against the Jazz.
Joining Looney in the first unit for Tuesday's game will be Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, Micah Peavy and Derik Queen. Across six starts this season, Looney has posted averages of 2.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Looney had four points (2-2 FG) and seven rebounds across 10 minutes during Wednesday's 112-104 loss to Detroit.
Looney moved back into the rotation, suiting up for the first time in the past seven games. The purpose of signing Looney remains somewhat of a mystery, with his only real value at this point coming in the locker room. He has appeared only eight times in the past two months, averaging 3.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per contest.
Pelicans' Kevon Looney: Team-high 10 rebounds off bench
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Looney recorded two points (1-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds and three assists across 18 minutes during Wednesday's 134-118 loss to the Bulls.
Rookie first-rounder Derik Queen is effectively running away with the top spot at center for the Pelicans, but that hasn't prevented Looney from getting back into the rotation as a third-string big man in the past two outings. Even so, Looney even remains behind Yves Missi, so fantasy managers may want to search elsewhere for a consistent streamer.
Looney recorded zero points (0-1 FG), three rebounds and one assist across 12 minutes during Tuesday's 149-142 overtime loss to the Timberwolves.
Looney continues to do basically nothing, typically logging minutes only when other players are injured. He should be viewed as the third-string center, a clearly evident fact when analyzing his season stats. In 12 appearances, he has averaged 2.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game.
Looney (heel) is available for Monday's game against the Bulls.
Looney is shedding a questionable designation with a heel contusion to suit up Monday. The veteran big man has averaged 2.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 13.1 minutes per contest across nine games this season.
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Pelicans' Kevon Looney: Questionable to face Chicago
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Looney (heel) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Bulls.
Looney is dealing with a right heel contusion and could miss Monday's contest. If the 29-year-old center is ultimately ruled out, Yves Missi could see a slight bump in minutes.
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Pelicans' Kevon Looney: Does not play Sunday
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Looney was a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Warriors.
After starting the last six games, Looney was relegated to the bench in favor of rookie Derik Queen, and the veteran ended up not appearing in the game at all. It remains to be seen whether Looney's role has completely disappeared or if the decision not to play him was matchup-based, but with Zion Williamson (hamstring) also returning to the mix soon, Looney may not see the court consistently moving forward.
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Pelicans' Kevon Looney: Moves to second unit
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Looney will come off the bench for Sunday's game against the Warriors.
The Pelicans have a new head coach, and the team will already make some tweaks with rookie Derik Queen getting the starting nod. It remains to be seen if Looney or Yves Missi will soak up the backup center minutes.
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Pelicans' Kevon Looney: Sees 16 minutes as starter
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Looney produced two points (1-4 FG), six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 16 minutes during Monday's 121-98 loss to the Suns.
Yves Missi was cleared to return from a three-game absence after battling an illness, but oddly enough, he didn't see the floor. Despite his newfound role, Looney has been unable to make a big impact in fantasy thus far. Through five appearances, he's averaging 3.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 15.9 minutes per contest.
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