Knicks Eye Trade for 3-Time NBA Champ Kevin Looney

The New York Knicks want to trade Kevin Looney, a three-time NBA champion, to strengthen their team. This move could provide the Knicks with the experienced center they need.

Knicks Eye Looney in Strategic Trade Move

SNY.TV’s David Vertsberger listed five possible trades that could help the Knicks get a new center after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.

One interesting trade idea is that the Knicks are sending forward Precious Achiuwa and future draft picks to the Golden State Warriors for center Kevin Looney.

Since Achiuwa is a free agent, the deal would have to be a sign-and-trade or happen midseason. Even though the trade details need some work, Looney would fit well with the Knicks.

“The Warriors aren’t likely to be sellers in this market, but trading with the Knicks could net them extra ammo for pursuing one of their larger targets,” Vertsberger wrote on July 24, 2024.

“Looney is a cleaner fit at the five for New York than Achiuwa, and Golden State can utilize both him and the picks going into next season.”

Kevin Looney’s Winning History

Kevin Looney has been a key player for the Warriors, helping them win three NBA championships.

The Warriors kept Looney for the last season of a three-year, $22.5 million contract, with an $8 million cap hit in 2024-25. He would bring much-needed veteran experience to the Knicks, having spent his entire nine-year NBA career with the Warriors.

Looney averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in 74 games for Golden State last season, including 36 starts. His rebounding and defense would be helpful for New York’s second unit.

While Looney may not have a high ceiling, the Knicks know what they can expect from him, making this trade a good idea.

Knicks Strategize on Center Depth as Robinson Battles Injuries

New York still has Mitchell Robinson, but he often gets injured. He only played 31 games this year and missed the last six games of the Knicks’ Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers, who won the series 4-3.

Precious Achiuwa just finished a four-year, $12.5 million rookie deal. SNY.TV’s Ian Begley said the Knicks are still talking with Achiuwa about coming back. Last December, the Knicks got Achiuwa and OG Anunoby in a trade with the Toronto Raptors.

“Mitchell Robinson, he’s on the roster. He’s here now, but you know he has a history of getting hurt,” Begley said on the July 13 episode of “SportsNite.”

“So, you need a backup center who can start 30 games next season, and I know they’ve continued to be in touch with Precious Achiuwa, their own free agent. I think they’ve also had casual trade talks about some high-salaried veteran centers on the trade market.”

Achiuwa averaged 7.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game in 49 games for the Knicks.

He has also started 18 games since coming to New York. Achiuwa was a top prospect who played for Montverde Academy in Florida and played one season in Memphis.

He was the 20th pick by the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Knicks Eye Looney in Potential Achiuwa Trade

In this possible trade, Achiuwa could sign a deal with the Knicks and then be traded to the Warriors for Looney.

Maybe some overseas draft rights or late future picks could be included, but Achiuwa for Looney is the main part of the trade.

Looney, 28, has played his whole career with the Warriors after being the 30th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft from UCLA.

He was part of the Warriors’ championship teams in 2017, 2018, and 2022 and also made the NBA Finals in 2016 and 2019, which means Looney has more playoff experience than most NBA players.

Ultimately, the Knicks would get a reliable center and only need to spend about $8 million on his salary, similar to what they paid Hartenstein last year. This deal sounds almost too good to be true.

By getting Looney, the Knicks would solve their problem of needing a dependable center, while the Warriors would gain valuable assets to pursue other targets.