Kevon Looney Los Angeles: his strong Luka Doncic message
Kevon Looney Los Angeles teammates now include Luka Doncic after the veteran center signed with the Lakers. On ESPN LA, Looney said playing against Doncic "sucks" for big men and that he is excited to learn from him, set screens in pick-and-rolls, and make his job easier as a teammate rather than a rival.
Key Takeaways
- Looney told ESPN LA he is glad he no longer has to defend Luka Doncic one-on-one.
- He called Doncic probably the best pick-and-roll player in the league and wants to learn how to set screens for him.
- The three-time champion said Los Angeles was his top destination once the Lakers needed a center.
- Looney arrives after a decade with Golden State and one season in New Orleans, likely as Walker Kessler's backup.
New Lakers big man Kevon Looney did not hide how he feels about switching sides against Luka Doncic. Speaking on Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA, the 30-year-old veteran made clear that facing the superstar as a center was a grind — and joining him in Los Angeles is a relief.
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Why is Kevon Looney excited to play with Luka Doncic?
Looney spent years trying to contain Doncic, including playoff battles when Doncic was still with Dallas. His message was blunt: playing against him “sucks, especially being a big man,” because of constant pick-and-rolls, isolations, and one-on-one matchups.
He labeled Doncic “probably the toughest guy to guard 1-on-1 in the league.” That history makes his excitement to switch roles land harder for Lakers fans.
“I’m excited to be on his team, be able to learn from him, be able to play pick-and-roll with him,” Looney said, per Sports Illustrated. “He’s probably the best pick-and-roll player in the league, so being able to learn how he wants me to set screens and different things like that I’m excited about it.”
He added that Doncic is one of the best players in the league and that sharing the floor “makes my life a lot easier.”
How did Looney land with the Los Angeles Lakers?
Looney described a chaotic free-agent market. “Being a free agent this year, I didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said. “There were a lot of moving parts this offseason with a lot of teams.”
Once Los Angeles made moves and needed a center, his preference was clear. “This was my top destination and I was able to make it happen. I am super excited.”
The Lakers also brought in Walker Kessler via a sign-and-trade from Utah to pair with Doncic up front. Looney, who won three titles with the Warriors before playing 2025-26 with the New Orleans Pelicans, projects as experienced big-man depth behind Kessler.
What else did Looney say about joining the Lakers?
Beyond the Doncic praise, Looney said he was “a big Kobe guy,” calling Bryant his favorite player. That nod should resonate with the fan base after LeBron James’s departure left a championship-voice gap on the roster.
He already has experience running with an elite guard in Stephen Curry, which should help as he adjusts to Doncic’s different attack. Reports also note Los Angeles may still chase another big — names linked include Nick Richards and Jalen Smith — with Sandro Mamukelashvili more of a small-ball option.
For now, Looney’s pitch is simple: stop guarding Doncic, start screening for him, and lean on a championship resume in a remade Lakers frontcourt.