In this episode of the Draymond Green Show, host Draymond Green interviews Warriors forward/center Kevon Looney about his future with Golden State, contract expectations, and his perspective on the evolving NBA landscape. Looney explains that he is in a "waiting game" regarding his next contract, emphasizing that the ball is in the organization’s court while he focuses on improving his game and adapting to the "new NBA" that has shifted since 2022. He reflects on his long tenure with the Warriors, his role as a veteran presence, and his personal connection to the Bay Area. The conversation also covers Looney’s injury history, including two hip surgeries early in his career, and a story about his punctuality after arriving at training camp on crutches, illustrating his work ethic and the influence of veteran teammate Draymond Green. Draymond expresses deep respect and affection for Looney, highlighting his resilience, leadership, and the importance of veteran mentorship for younger players. The interview ends with mutual appreciation and a lighthearted sign‑off.
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Welcome to the brand new Draymond Green Show YouTube channel. Hit subscribe so you don't miss out on any of our content. People would fight me if I didn't ask this. Your future with the Warriors, um, $3 million guarantee, $8 million salary. There's a bunch of things going around. Nobody know what the hell they're talking about. But just talk to me about, yeah, what it's been like for the Warriors with you. Do you wanna stay with the Warriors? What do you see next in your career? Just finished year, it's 2024, 8, year 8.
It's year 9.
You just finished year 9.
Yeah, going on 10 next year.
Oh, we got full pitching. What y'all talking about? You better act like you know. Full pitching. But talk to me about that too. Like what, you know, like what's next for you? Do you want to be with the Warriors? Do you see like, ah, like it didn't finish great for me this year. Like what is it for you?
Well, the ball isn't in my court. I don't have full control over my destiny, so I kind of play the waiting game, control what I can control. I've been here my whole career. I don't know nothing else. So, you know, you always want to finish what you started and be somewhere for the whole career, but I've been in this business long enough, I know that's not realistic. So I'm preparing myself for whatever. My family's out here. The Bay's been great to me. They treat me like family. It's my— I grew up here. So I haven't really thought about too far. I'm trying to see what they're gonna do first before I really, you know, push the envelope, see what I want to do. Right now I'm just focusing on my game. You know, like you said, ending the season ain't the best for me, but I take pride in adapting and figuring stuff out. So that's my— I got a new goal, a new plan. I gotta— Mm-hmm. Gotta be an adapter. I'm looking forward to, you know, adding to my game, you know, adapting to this new NBA and figuring it out. And, you know, I've been working hard and I feel like I'mma, you know, be a different player next year. And that's always the goal. I feel like I conquered my old role. So now I gotta figure out my new role and take that next step. So that's what I've been focusing on. I'm trying to focus on my game. And usually when you focus on your game and you put in the work, Things always work out for me. So like I said, the ball ain't in my court. You know, I've been a warrior for life. Even whatever happens, I'm always gonna be a warrior for life. And so really just waiting to see what our organization gonna do.
You are most definitely that, my brother. You have been incredible for me in my life. I love you to death. I appreciate you. I know this organization and the fan base appreciate you. I don't know what the hell anybody's doing. Kawhi, I don't even know. I hope to be there, but—
Right.
But in saying all of that, as you said, number one, again, listen to these answers. This man is talking about the business of basketball. He's talking about the ball's not in my court, the ball's in their court, but I'm prepared for everything. And most importantly, what he just said in that answer, which is, I said this on the pod, the most importantly, he just said, I'm adjusting to this new NBA. Because since 2022, the NBA actually changed a lot. And I don't know if the average person watching the NBA realizes the shift that has happened in the NBA. But these shifts happen every so often. And the last shift that happened was due to the way Steph Curry shot the ball and the way Klay Thompson shot the ball. That was the last shift in the NBA. That shift is now shifted. And in turn, you saw Loon like not in the lineup sometimes, then, then because it shifted. And what did he just say? I'm adjusting to this new NBA and I'm adding to my game. So I'm preparing for that new NBA because most people can't adjust to the new NBA and then they out in a year, right? And so you listening to the most professional teammate I've ever had in my life. Not NBA, not college, not high school.
Know you the reason I ain't never late, right?
Why is that?
First day of my training camp, I'm on crutches. I pull up to practice like 10:30. Started at 11. I can't walk. I can't even get on the court. I'm not even rehabbing at the facility. I gotta go somewhere else to rehab. And he come in sweating, locker room. "You just now getting here?" I'm like, "Yeah." Like, I'm like, "I can't do nothing." "Be here at 8:30 tomorrow." Like, "All right." And ever since then, I've been there at 8:30 every day. I ain't never late just 'cause he told me so. Like, "I guess that's the time I'm supposed to be here." He probably, I don't even know if he remember that, but I was on crutches. So I'm like, Why you tripping? I can't even practice. I can't walk. I can't do anything. But hey, I'm gonna be here at 8:30. Just sit here and watch.
That's crazy. I've never heard this story, by the way. Y'all heard it here on the Draymond Green Show presented to you by Hyperice and Kevon Looney. And I'm honored to hear that because over the last 2 years of my career, well, actually I wasn't late at all this year. I was so embarrassed to be around our team last year when JP was still on the team. That I came to everything. Like, I was probably late last season 20 times. And I just paid a fine because I was so embarrassed to like show my face in a time where it's like, like before everything start, that's when everybody like shooting the shit and like all the conversation. I was so embarrassed to show my face during those times that I would time everything up like, If we're on the road, I time it up to like the minute I need to get there. And if the elevator took a little bit longer than it was supposed to, I'd be late. Or if I'm leaving my crib, which is like 7 to 8 minutes away from the facility, I time it up to the minute of where I need to arrive. And if the red light right there in front of the Giants Stadium, Oracle Park, if the red light Caught me, I'd be 2, 3 minutes late. Like, ah! And so one of Steve's rules this year was like, Draymond, don't be late. And I'm never a late guy. I was never late in my career. But last year I couldn't show my face like before. Like, it was just—
Right.
It was terrible. And so I was happy to be back on time this year. I'm also happy to hear that because again, the impact that you make on a young guy, and I've talked about this too, some of these teams not having a vet. Like, the importance of a vet on a young player goes way further than their game could ever take them.
Right.
And to hear that is an honor to me. I'm honored to have my young brother, my little brother, Kevon Looney, Toon, y'all don't know that, but my man Toon on the show. I appreciate you, brother. I hope to be your teammate next year, whether that's you with the Warriors, I'm with the Warriors, or we both with the Warriors. You just never know how these things go. As Tules said, you just don't know. But nonetheless, whether I'm your teammate or not, I love you to death forever. I appreciate you.
I appreciate you.
I am so proud of the career that you've had. 9 years in and 3, what is it, 2 or 3 hip surgeries in the first, 2 hip surgeries in the first year and a half of your career. Like that's a death sentence. That's a bigger death sentence than the word tweener. When I was coming out, that was a death sentence. 2 hip surgeries is a death sentence. Yeah. 9 years later, you're still on the same team. You are the 5th most senior player, maybe even less than that now 'cause Dame left, in the NBA today. And to do that the way you've had to do it, I got nothing but respect for you. I got nothing but love for you. I appreciate you coming on the show. I'm gonna continue drinking my Lobos down here in Cabo as I've been doing. But I love you to death. I appreciate you. Thank you, my brother.
Appreciate it, man. My mom is super excited that I'm on the show. She said, "When you gonna get on this show?" I said, "I don't know, waiting on the invite." So I know she gonna be watching it and saying she love you just as much too, so.
Miss Victoria Looney, we love you to death. We sure love you. Pops, much love.
Yeah.
That's a wrap from this episode of the Draymond Green Show. I'm gonna take a shot of my Lobos and I'm gonna continue to enjoy my vacation. But I love y'all. That's a wrap. Peace.
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