Warriors’ big problem: Kevon Looney weighs in on James Wiseman’s setback

SAN FRANCISCO – Kevon Looney set a goal to play in every game for the Warriors this season, and with six regular-season games left, the 6’9” center is close to accomplishing the feat.

Looney feels healthy and strong, though he admitted his preseason goal has served as extra motivation for him to play through some “knick-knack” pain at times this season.

And the Warriors are going to need Looney, the team’s only true center, to remain healthy and continue to hold down the fort at the five-spot, especially with James Wiseman being ruled out for the remainder of the season after he suffered another setback in his ongoing 11-month recovery from knee surgery.

“The only thing I can say [is] it’s tough,” Looney recently told the Bay Area News Group. “But he has a bright future, he’s gonna come back better, I have no doubt about that.”

If there’s anyone who can relate to Wiseman’s unfortunate situation, it’s Looney who knows what it’s like to have your career derailed by injuries especially early on.

Looney, whom the Warriors drafted in the first round of the 2015 draft, played only five NBA games and 12 G League contests his rookie season as he dealt with injuries that ultimately required separate surgeries on each hip.

“I definitely feel his pain,” Looney said. “For him to be so talented, so young, and not to really have a chance to show his talent and show his game through the injuries is frustrating.”

There was a belief among the team that Wiseman would play at some point this season. But when swelling persisted in his surgically repaired knee, it became clear for the training staff last week that the best next step for the team’s 2020 second overall pick would be to shut him down for the remainder of the season.

The Wiseman update brings into question the team’s decision not to get size reinforcement last offseason and at the trade deadline or in the buyout market.

Speaking on his weekly radio hit for 95.7 The Game Monday, general manager Bob Myers defended the team’s decision to bet on Wiseman’s return, saying there were slim pickings for backup centers.

“We didn’t have a great option to add a big that was better than what we had… I’d like to add more size, we thought that was coming with James,” Myers said. “We’re here now, if something came up in the next week or so where our players are playoff eligible, we’d look at it.”

For now, the Warriors will rely on Looney and Draymond Green, who admittedly hasn’t been playing like himself as of late, to carry most of the load. Otto Porter Jr., Nemanja Bjelica and Jonathan Kuminga are other options depending on matchups.

Looney is confident the Warriors’ current roster is enough to contend for a title.

”I don’t think we needed to add any pieces, I felt like we have enough talent on our team, we just need to be healthy,” he said.

In an injury-riddled season, Looney has been an anchor for the Warriors, starting every game but the last two as coach Steve Kerr has gone for a smaller lineup, replacing Looney with Kuminga. His teammates have praised him for his durability and willingness to take on whatever role for the sake of the team’s best interest.

“He’s such a great professional to be able to accept that [role of coming off the bench], he’s been a rock for us throughout the whole season,” Klay Thompson said. “I’m very impressed with Looney’s professionalism, he’s one of the best in the biz and I look forward to him getting rewarded for it this summer in free agency.”

Looney might not light up the box scores, but his reliable presence is undeniably important to the team. And he’s content doing grunt work, like battling in the paint, playing aggressive defense, setting screens and grabbing rebounds.

Being a constant for the Warriors “definitely means more” for Looney this season with some many guys battling injuries.

“To be there every game, be consistent, be that one person for our team, we had a lot of change, and we don’t have a lot of guys from the past – we have our core people – but there’s been a lot of changeover, so I just want to be that guy to be there, be professional,” Looney said. “And we got a lot of young guys to show them the way, how to take care of your body and how to be there every night.”