As free agency gets ready to begin in the NBA, one area the Boston Celtics will need to prioritize is their frontcourt. Looking at the players set to hit the open market, one former champion has been named as a potential good fit.
Depending on how things unfold at the start of free agency, the Celtics could find themselves very thin at center. Kristaps Porzingis was recently traded to the Atlanta Hawks, and Luke Kornet and Al Horford are expected to gain decent interest across the league. If both players end up departing, Brad Stevens will be in need of viable replacements.
In a recent column for Boston.com, Conor Roche broke down 10 players worth targeting for the Celtics in free agency. Among those mentioned was longtime Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney.
Now 29, Looney has been relegated to more of a bench role over the last two seasons. He’s averaged 4.5 points and 5.9 in 15.6 minutes per game in that stretch, starting 42 of 150 games. He’s also continued to be a strong defensive presence for Golden State, with his 106.9 defensive rating ranking 21st last season (min. 50 games played).
As someone who has been part of multiple championship teams, Looney is someone who could help the Celtics remain in the hunt in the Eastern Conference. If he were to ink a long-term deal, he could emerge as an X-factor when Jayson Tatum returns from injury.
Throughout his career, Looney has proven to be a reliable center on both ends who understands his role on the floor. Last season for the Warriors, he averaged 4.5 PPG and 6.1 RPG primarily coming off the bench.
Though he might be best suited in a backup role at this stage of his career, Looney is still a viable target for the Celtics. In the event that Horford and/or Kornet are gone, he is a player Stevens should consider pivoting to.