They say some players come and go, but some stay long enough to become part of your basketball soul. For the Golden State Warriors, Kevon Looney was exactly that. After a decade in the Bay, Looney is headed to New Orleans, but not without a heartfelt farewell. In a video posted by the Warriors on X, head coach Steve Kerr choked back emotion as he thanked the man who quietly became the team’s rock.

“Hey Loon, just want to say thank you. This is a tough one. 10 years… it’s just been an amazing experience for me to coach you,” Kerr began. Looney, who joined the Warriors as a 19-year-old in 2015, is heading to New Orleans after ten seasons, three NBA titles, and a whole lot of hard screens and second-chance rebounds. Kerr continued, “Your professionalism, your dignity, your class… the way you handle yourself, mentor your young teammates, and of course, the championship contributions you’ve made year after year.” And this wasn’t just about basketball, to say the least.

This was about a player who embodied everything the Warriors preached, be it selflessness, heart, and grind. Kerr said it correctly, “We can’t thank you enough… I can’t thank you enough, you are the absolute best, Loon.” And let’s be honest here, people. Looney never had the flash. But that’s exactly what made him so beloved. He was the quiet constant behind the chaos. And for Dub Nation, losing Looney isn’t just about replacing a role player. It’s about closing a chapter. Why?

Because across 599 regular-season games with Golden State, Looney averaged just 5.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. But numbers rarely tell the full story. His defense, IQ, and ability to show up in the postseason became vital for a team built on stars who needed that kind of support. He famously played through injury in the 2019 Finals and anchored the paint during their 2022 title run. And now?

Because it wasn’t just a farewell tour for Looney. Rather, it was a wake-up call for Golden State’s front office. “Go find one that a team’s willing to give up on, to help your opponent out. That’s the game now. You got to be able to get up and down the floor as a big, shoot the ball, athletic ability, and that position is really important. The Warriors are like a lot of teams in the league, looking for that athletic big,” he urged.

Steve Kerr’s Warriors in trouble?

Translation? Looney was steady. But the Warriors now need someone explosive. They need upside. They need risk. And no, Dell wasn’t throwing shade. Why would he? This is his Golden Boy’s team. So, naturally, he was offering a playbook.

Curry also highlighted the urgency of developing the Warriors’ youth. “They got to figure out the Jonathan Kuminga situation,” he said. “Maybe he’s the guy they use to get that athletic big.” In other words: if Kuminga’s not part of the future, maybe he’s the key to unlocking it. The reason for all this urgency, though?

“That window is closing,” Dell said. With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler (now in his late 30s) leading the way, the Warriors need to make bold choices fast. Keeping the core healthy is one thing. Building the next chapter? That’s where the pressure really is. Dell’s strategy is simple, really.

Surround the aging stars with more shooting, more athleticism, and more youth as Steve Kerr himself is nearing retirement. “If they get the right mix of guys, more shooting around, they’re right back in the conversation.” Even with Looney gone, the dynasty doesn’t have to die. But it does have to adapt.

Whether that means flipping Kuminga for an underused big, convincing Horford to choose the Bay, or drafting a long-limbed shot blocker who can grow fast, time is now the Warriors’ biggest opponent. Kevon Looney played through pain, sacrificed stats, and carried the culture. Kerr said it best: “We can’t thank you enough.” But the greatest thank you?

Might be learning from what he gave. Because Looney gave it all. Now, Golden State has to figure out what they’re willing to give up to win again. As Looney heads to the Pelicans, the Bay loses a legend in the shadows. Steve Kerr will move on. But it won’t be the same.