Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Saturday that the New Orleans Pelicans plan to decline the $8 million team option on center Kevon Looney, which would make him an unrestricted free agent.
- The team had not formally announced the decision at the time of reporting and the league’s option-deadline mechanics will officially confirm Looney’s status.
- Looney appeared in just 21 games this season and averaged 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 14.7 minutes per game as injuries and a reduced role limited his contributions.
- Declining the option is expected to create meaningful cap flexibility for New Orleans, with early projections estimating roughly $13 million in cleared space; the Pelicans separately exercised Karlo Matkovic’s $2.3 million option.
- Despite reduced minutes, Looney’s three championships, rebounding and screening ability and reputation as a veteran locker-room leader make him a likely target for contenders seeking frontcourt depth.