The frontcourt of the Los Angeles Lakers has undergone a complete makeover as the team acquired center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade to be the ideal big to partner with superstar guard Luka Doncic. The team also signed veteran center Kevon Looney, who won multiple championships as a member of the Golden State Warriors before spending last season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Looney has spent many years trying to contain Doncic as a defender and it is something he is happy to not have to do this season. The Lakers center made it clear that he is very excited to be able to team with the superstar guard as opposed to trying to defend him.
“Playing against him sucks, especially being a big man,” Looney said on Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA Radio. “You’re in a lot of pick-and-rolls, you’re getting iso’d, he picks on people and you gotta guard him 1-on-1 and he’s probably the toughest guy to guard 1-on-1 in the league. Got to compete against him on the Lakers and in the playoffs when he was in Dallas.
“I’m excited to be on his team, be able to learn from him, be able to play pick-and-roll with him. 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’s one of the best guys in the league and it makes my life a lot easier playing with him so I’m super excited.”
There are plenty of highlight reels of Doncic absolutely embarrassing opposing big men on switches and Looney has dealt with his fair share so to be on the other side of it definitely a relief. As he said, now it is about figuring out how to work with Doncic, being able to set proper screens for him and figuring out the best way to roll to the basket that benefits his style.
Looney can be a valuable piece for the Lakers, not just as big man depth, but in providing rebounding, physicality and a championship mindset for this team and he is ready to do whatever he can to make Doncic’s life easier and help the Lakers succeed.
Lakers reportedly still eyeing reinforcements at center
With Looney and Kessler the only true centers on the roster, and Sandro Mamukelashvili being more of a small-ball option, the Lakers are reportedly still eyeing some reinforcements up front, with Chicago Bulls big man Jalen Smith reportedly having fans within the organization.
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