LOS ANGELES -- Aware that Steve Kerr one day earlier urged the Warriors to offer him a long-term contract, Kevon Looney paused and broke into a broad grin at the mention of it Saturday.
“Yeah, I heard what he said,” Looney said. “It’s good to have that kind of support from the coach. I hope it works out.”
Kerr made it clear Friday that he was glad Looney did not leave upon becoming a free agent last summer, adding he believes the 23-year-old center/forward had done enough to earn a long-term deal -- and that he hopes it’s with the Warriors.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
So does Looney, who has become a staple of the team’s playing rotation.
“I’d love to stay here,” he said. “I like being on this team. I want to be there when Chase Center opens later this year.”
Looney is earning $1.57 million this season. The valuable backup becomes an unrestricted free agent in July, the second consecutive summer he will hit the market.
[RELATED: Why Iguodala hopes Looney leaves]
Golden State Warriors
This time, however, the Warriors have Bird rights on Looney, giving them considerable financial flexibility to pursue a new contract.
“For two years now, he has been a rock for us,” Kerr said Saturday morning. “So when I mentioned that [Friday], yeah, I really hope that’s here. I want him to be here for a long time. I think everybody in this locker room wants Loon to be rewarded for his effort.”
Looney set career highs in games played (80), minutes (18.5 per game), points (6.3 points per game) and rebounds (5.2 per game), among other categories, during the 2018-19 regular season. He has averaged 11.7 points in the Warriors' three playoff games thus far.