Kevon Looney is heading into a new chapter with the Los Angeles Lakers, and one of the biggest reasons he sounds energized is simple: he no longer has to guard Luka Doncic.
During an appearance on LA’s Mason & Ireland, Looney said he is looking forward to playing with Doncic rather than against him after joining the Lakers. It is a natural reaction for a veteran big man who has spent years dealing with elite Western Conference opponents, and it also gives Los Angeles another experienced frontcourt piece as the team continues to reshape its roster.
A veteran with championship experience
Looney brings far more to the Lakers than size alone. For a decade, he played with the Golden State Warriors and helped win three titles there. He is also a four-time NBA champion overall, which gives him a résumé that few players can match when it comes to understanding what winning teams need over the course of a season.
That background matters for a Lakers team that has made big moves in free agency and through a couple of trades. The organization is looking to add stability and depth after the departure of LeBron James, and Looney’s experience fits that need. He is the kind of veteran who can help a locker room without needing the offense to run through him.
Why the fit makes sense
The Lakers also appear to be thinking ahead to the 2026-27 NBA season, when they want to add another big man. In that context, Looney gives them a short-term piece with a long track record of reliability. At 30 years old, he is still in the range where a contender can expect meaningful minutes and steady production from a player who knows his role.
Looney’s comments about Doncic were the most notable part of the interview, but his broader appeal is tied to everything he has already done in the league. He has played alongside high-level talent, handled championship pressure, and now brings that same approach to Los Angeles.
He is also a big Kobe Bryant fan, which adds another layer to the move for a player joining one of the league’s most high-profile franchises. For the Lakers, the bigger story is that they have added a veteran big man who understands winning and seems genuinely excited about the opportunity in front of him.
