Kevon Looney is set to hit unrestricted free agency at 6 p.m. ET on June 30, and the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics are among the teams watching closely. The move puts a 30-year-old center with three NBA titles on the market after his role shrank sharply last season.
Knicks and Celtics Eye Looney
The Knicks are tied to Looney as they prepare for the expected departure of Mitchell Robinson, and the Celtics are also listed among the teams with interest. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer wrote that if Robinson does leave New York amid financial constraints, the Knicks are expected to try to add a veteran center with playoff experience.
They also reported that Boston’s list of center targets includes Looney and Robert Williams III. That gives both teams a clear lane into the same market: veteran size, postseason experience, and a player who does not need a featured offensive role to matter.
Golden State To New Orleans
Looney spent a decade with the Golden State Warriors before joining the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year deal. He won three titles in Golden State, then appeared in 21 regular-season games for the Pelicans last season.
His numbers in New Orleans were modest. He averaged 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 14.7 minutes, and he missed the playoffs entirely.
Chris Haynes reported that the Pelicans will decline Looney’s $8 million team option, which clears the path to free agency once June 30 arrives. If that move goes through as expected, the market opens at 6 p.m. ET for a center whose value now sits more on minutes, rebounds and playoff familiarity than on scoring.
June 30 for Looney
For the Knicks and Celtics, Looney is the kind of center who fits a short list: experienced, available and built for a limited job. For Looney, the next step comes down to whether either team turns interest into an offer the moment free agency begins.
