According to an ESPN report, the Golden State Warriors have elected keep second year forward Kevon Looney through the 2017-18 season, picking up the third year team option in his contract worth $1.2 million.
Had the Warriors elected not to pick up the option by the Oct. 31 deadline, Looney would’ve become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Looney, 20, was the Warriors first round pick out of UCLA in 2015, but was shelved for most of last season as he recovered from two hip surgeries, only appearing in five games. Looney has impressed at times during this year’s preseason, securing nine rebounds in consecutive games against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.
We wrote on Friday that Looney is primed to have a big impact for the Warriors this season, where he will be given many opportunities to play meaningful minutes at center, currently a logjam position for Golden State.