Stephen Curry Linked to Lakers Move as Kevon Looney Signs One‑Year Deal

Stephen Curry’s name resurfaced on 2 July 2026 when the Los Angeles Lakers announced the signing of former Golden State forward Kevan Looney. The 30‑year‑old inked a one‑year, $3.9 million contract, bringing three championship rings and years of screen‑setting experience to LA’s bench.

The Lakers needed a reliable backup center after trading Deandre Ayton to Washington. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the club secured Looney, who spent his first ten NBA seasons with the Warriors. During that stretch he ran countless pick‑and‑rolls for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the rest of the Bay Area’s elite. Looney appeared in 21 games last season, averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Curry’s legacy includes not just his scoring but the screens that freed him for those deep threes. Looney was one of the primary rollers who helped the Warriors execute their iconic offense. By joining the Lakers, Looney carries that knowledge of spacing and timing, which could influence how LA designs its own pick‑and‑roll sets for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The veteran’s familiarity with Curry’s movement may help the Lakers replicate the fluidity that made Golden State a dynasty.

Los Angeles plans to pair Looney with newly acquired Walker Kessler, who will start at center. Looney’s role will be to provide solid rebounding and act as an offensive connector off the ball. His career average of 5.6 rebounds per game suggests he can keep the paint busy when Kessler rests. The former champion also brings a playoff mindset that the Lakers hope will lift the locker room.

With the season opener looming in October, the Lakers will integrate Looney during training camp. Coach Darvin Ham will likely run drills that emphasize Looney’s screen‑setting against the Warriors’ system, hoping to translate that success to LA’s roster. If the veteran can replicate the chemistry he had with Curry, the Lakers could see a smoother transition for their young guards.

The signing marks the latest move in a busy offseason for the Lakers, who have also added Walker Kessler and reshuffled their frontcourt. While Looney won’t replace Curry’s scoring, his experience running the same screens that propelled Golden State to three titles adds a subtle but valuable layer to LA’s strategy. The true test will be whether his veteran presence can help the Lakers advance deeper into the playoffs this year.