Overview
- Three outlets on Monday reported that the New Orleans Pelicans declined Kevon Looney’s $8 million team option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
- NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer said the Celtics have Looney on their list of center targets as free agency approaches.
- Looney is a three-time champion known for screening, rebounding and rim protection but he played just 21 games in 2025–26 and has lingering injury and role concerns.
- Boston faces competition for Looney, with the New York Knicks monitoring him and the Celtics also weighing internal options like starter Neemias Queta and targets such as Robert Williams III.
- A Looney signing would be a low-cost, short-term way to add playoff-tested depth to a Celtics frontcourt that struggled in the postseason and must decide whether to prioritize budget signings or higher-risk, higher-upside moves.