The Warriors’ 2020-21 season was a letdown, but that isn’t stopping some of their players from re-upping. Kevon Looney has exercised his player option for next season, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Looney, who has played in Golden State for his entire career, will make $5.1 million in year seven. The big man averaged 4.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 61 games this season. The 6-foot-9 big man serves as valuable depth on a team that needs it moving forward.
Posting a 39-33 record this season, the Dubs were able to qualify for the Western Conference play-in tournament. Things ended on a sour note, though, despite Stephen Curry‘s All-NBA season. Curry and company will look to reload and improve next season.
Klay Thompson Injury Update
After missing this season due to a torn Achilles tendon, Klay Thompson‘s recovery seems to be going well. The Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka details how a timeline for Thompson’s return is still undecided, although GM Bob Myers is remaining optimistic.
“‘That’s what we’re going to have to figure out — when the right time for that is,’ Myers told NBC Sports Bay Area. ‘I think we’ve set on record, I don’t think it’ll be the first game of the season in October. Will it be Thanksgiving? Will it be Christmas? I think it’s more likely December. But I don’t know when. It’s hard to gauge. It depends on how he meets all of those hurdles in his rehab.'”
Thompson, who hasn’t play in regular-season action since 2019, has been getting in some on-court work recently. The five-time All-Star is facing a great deal of adversity but if he can return to form, the Warriors will be a tough out by the time next season’s playoffs roll around. The importance of getting Curry’s backcourt running mate back in the starting lineup cannot be understated.
More Warriors Notes
- NBC Sports’ Kendra Andrews recently published a piece detailing four buy-low candidates the Warriors could consider this offseason. Otto Porter, Josh Hart, Justise Winslow and Talen Horton-Tucker would all help improve the team, but at different price tags and respective levels of play.
- The No. 7 pick and James Wiseman very well could be used to help upgrade the Dubs’ roster, per John Hollinger of The Athletic. Raptors forward Pascal Siakam has been linked as a name to watch.
- As head coach Steve Kerr joins Team USA this summer, former Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce could factor into his search for a new addition to the Warriors’ staff. NBC Sports Bay Area & CA’s Monte Poole breaks it down.
