Kevon Looney has opened up about his departure from the Warriors, pointing to his reduced role—especially in the playoffs—as the turning point.
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🗣️ What Looney Said
On the “Warriors Plus/Minus” podcast, Looney expressed frustration over his lack of playing time, particularly in matchups calling for his strengths:
> “We’re going up against Steven Adams, this is what I do. They’re not really giving me the chance to really let me do what I do. … y’all don’t trust me. I thought y’all trusted me.”
He further added:
> “They put me in at the end of Game 7… You either trust me or you don’t.”
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🛡️ The Context: A Tough Playoffs
In the first-round playoff series against Houston, Looney averaged just 9.3 minutes per game and played only 2 minutes in Game 6, while facing a bruising center like Steven Adams .
Meanwhile, rookie center Quinten Post logged nearly 17 mpg, which underscored the diminishing role Looney was playing .
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🔁 Why It Led to Leaving
After 10 seasons and three championships, Looney felt he’d proven himself but still wasn’t trusted in high-leverage moments .
That perceived lack of trust, combined with the Pelicans offering a two-year, $16 million deal, made the decision clear .
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✉️ A Fond Farewell
Despite the frustration, Looney’s exit wasn’t bitter. He penned an emotional letter on The Players’ Tribune expressing gratitude toward Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the Warriors organization .
Steph Curry even called him “Forever a legend,
