Warriors’ Stephen Curry Shares Heartfelt Message After NBA Free Agency Move |DD
Warriors’ Stephen Curry Shares Heartfelt Message After NBA Free Agency Move
The NBA star paid big respect to a longtime cornerstone in Golden State
By Jacob Harrison | 16 Hours Ago
When the news broke that Kevon Looney was leaving the Golden State Warriors to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans, it didn’t just mark the end of a contract — it marked the end of an era. For nearly a decade, Looney had been a quiet force in Golden State, the kind of teammate that doesn’t command headlines but earns the deep respect of those who know the grind. One of those people is none other than Stephen Curry, the face of the franchise and a four-time NBA champion.
On Sunday, Curry took to Instagram to share a simple but powerful message:
“Forever a legend Toon!!!!”
The post was linked to Looney’s emotional Players’ Tribune article, in which the veteran big man revealed the difficult decision to move on from the only NBA home he’s ever known. That home was also Curry’s home. And together, along with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, they built one of the most dominant dynasties in modern sports.
“Those Guys Have Been My Big Brothers”
In his essay, Looney revealed that the first two calls he made after agreeing to his two-year, $16 million deal with New Orleans were to Curry and Draymond Green.
“Those guys, they’ve been my big brothers for the past 10 years,” Looney wrote. “Showing me the ropes, guiding me, helping me to grow up.”
It’s a reflection of how tightly knit the Warriors locker room had become during their championship runs. Looney, drafted No. 30 overall in 2015 — ironically, the same pick Curry himself once occupied in 2009 — became much more than a role player. He became the glue. The enforcer. The dependable rebounder. The screen-setter. The guy who did all the things that don’t show up on stat sheets, but without which dynasties don’t survive.
“I’m not a big crier,” Looney admitted, “but calling to tell them I’m heading somewhere else was pretty emotional for me.”
Curry’s Loyalty and Legacy
Stephen Curry is not just the greatest shooter in NBA history. He is also widely recognized as one of the most loyal superstars the game has seen. In an era where stars frequently jump from team to team in search of better title odds or personal branding opportunities, Curry has remained a Warrior. But his loyalty isn’t just to the team — it’s to the people.
Curry’s Instagram tribute to Looney wasn’t a PR move. It was personal. “Toon” — Looney’s nickname — wasn’t just a teammate. He was part of the family. And Curry, known for his humility and team-first mentality, made sure the world knew that Looney’s contributions would never be forgotten.
Looney’s departure marks a subtle but significant change in the Warriors’ internal fabric. While superstars like Curry and Green often dominate headlines, it’s the players like Looney who form the backbone of a team’s chemistry and work ethic.
Three Championships Together
Between 2016 and 2022, the Warriors won three NBA titles — 2017, 2018, and 2022 — and Looney was a part of all of them. He didn’t dominate the stat sheet, but his presence was felt in crucial moments: battling for rebounds, locking down defensive switches, setting the bone-jarring screens that freed up Curry and Thompson for the shots that lit up the scoreboard.
In the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Looney had multiple breakout performances, including a 22-rebound night against the Memphis Grizzlies. His quiet consistency helped power the Warriors past younger, more athletic opponents. And Curry knew it.
There was a reason Looney started 209 consecutive games for the Warriors. In a league where rotations change frequently and even starters fluctuate with trade rumors and injuries, Looney’s reliability was a rare gift. And Curry, perhaps more than anyone, valued that.
Looney’s Next Chapter
With the Pelicans, Looney will bring veteran leadership and championship DNA to a team loaded with young talent, including Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. But it’s hard to imagine Looney without thinking of him in that classic Warriors blue and gold — setting a high ball screen for Curry, grabbing a key offensive rebound, or just doing the dirty work.
Warriors fans will no doubt miss him. And clearly, so will Curry.
For now, the two go their separate ways. But the bond built over a decade of sacrifice, victory, and camaraderie won’t fade with a change in jersey.
The Bigger Picture: Brotherhood Over Business
Professional sports is a business — and a cold one, at times. Players come and go. Trades happen overnight. Fan favorites get let go due to salary cap pressures or roster realignments. But in rare cases, a player becomes something more. Kevon Looney became a part of the soul of the Warriors’ dynasty. And Curry’s message reflects that.
The NBA is filled with incredible talent, but not every star takes the time to publicly honor their teammates when they move on. Curry’s tribute to Looney wasn’t just a farewell — it was an affirmation of everything that made the Warriors’ dynasty special: loyalty, selflessness, humility, and respect.
Final Thoughts: A Class Act Recognizing Another
In an NBA landscape dominated by hot takes, trade rumors, and viral dunks, moments like these cut through the noise. Stephen Curry’s heartfelt goodbye to Kevon Looney is a reminder of what truly matters in sports: the people, the relationships, and the shared pursuit of greatness.
Looney may be moving on to New Orleans, but his imprint on Golden State is permanent. He leaves behind three championship banners, countless clutch plays, and the respect of one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball.
And in return, Curry’s words say it all:
“Forever a legend Toon!!!!”
That kind of respect? You can’t fake it. You earn it — one screen, one rebound, one season at a time.