Dub Hub: Former Warrior Jordan Poole fired up to reunite with Kevon Looney on Pelicans

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Tuesday, July 1st.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Former Warrior Jordan Poole fired up by the Pelicans’ signing of Kevon Looney.
• Warriors identified Celtics center Al Horford as their top free-agent target, according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
• Bucks will waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard to create cap space to sign free-agent center Myles Turner from the Pacers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Two key contributors from the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship run are teaming up once again.

Former Warriors Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney are reuniting on the New Orleans Pelicans after both players found new homes this offseason. Poole was traded from the Washington Wizards to New Orleans just before the NBA Draft, while Looney signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans on the opening day of free agency.

Poole celebrated the news on Instagram, posting a reaction to Looney’s signing with clear excitement about rejoining his former teammate.

Poole brings dynamic scoring and shot creation to the Pelicans’ backcourt, while Looney adds interior toughness, rebounding, and steady leadership—qualities that defined his decade-long run with the Warriors. The two Milwaukee natives now hope to bring their championship chemistry from the Bay to the Bayou, looking to elevate New Orleans in a stacked Western Conference race.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, July 1st:

Warriors News:

Warriors face tall task filling Kevon Looney’s void as center search intensifies | NBC Sports Bay Area

It won’t be Clint Capela, the Atlanta Hawks free agent who plans to return to the Houston Rockets on a three-year contract worth $21.5 million. It won’t be Brook Lopez, the Milwaukee Bucks free agent who plans to sign a two-year contract worth $18 million with the Los Angeles Clippers. It won’t be young Luke Kornet, who plans to leave the Boston Celtics for the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year deal worth $41 million.

The Warriors are not surprised by Looney’s departure – he rejoins New Orleans coach Willie Green, who spent three seasons (2016-19) as an assistant with Golden State – but it surely intensifies their search for at least one and perhaps two men capable of playing center in their system.

What I’m hearing about Jonathan Kuminga, Al Horford and more as NBA free agency arrives | The Athletic

Team sources have identified a stretch center as a high priority. Many in the league continue to link Al Horford to the Warriors as a preferred target.

If the Warriors use the taxpayer midlevel exception (projected at around $5.7 million) on Horford or another free agent, they’ll be hard-capped at the second apron, currently projected at $207.8 million.

The absolute latest NBA Free Agency Intel with the marketplace soon to open | The Stein Line

While a return to the Warriors remains in play for Kuminga, sources say Miami, Chicago, Sacramento and New Orleans are among the teams looming as potential suitors by way of possible sign-and-trade scenarios. Golden State would be willing to help facilitate a move for Kuminga to join a new team, but only if such a transaction were to outweigh the benefits of keeping Kuminga on their roster.

Warriors’ two-way player Taran Armstrong has reportedly added ’17 pounds of muscle’ this offseason

Warriors introduce second round picks Alex Toohey and Will Richard

NBA News:

Sources: Bucks waive Damian Lillard, reach deal with Myles Turner | ESPN

The Bucks had visions of attempting to acquire Turner, but had no pathway due to their salary restrictions, but Horst and Brown huddled on Monday and Tuesday to create an opening.

Turner and Antetokounmpo both valued the opportunity to partner on the court during the process, sources told ESPN.

With Antetokounmpo considering his future and whether his best fit was with the Bucks moving forward, Milwaukee executives once again make a major move.

NBA Offseason: Every free agency deal, extension & trade for all 30 teams | NBA

Atlanta Hawks

Re-signing

• N/A

Additions

• Nickeil Alexander-Walker agrees to 4-year deal via sign-and-trade (per ESPN)

• Luke Kennard agrees to 1-year deal (per ESPN)

• Kristaps Porziņģis joins via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)

Departures

• Clint Capela departs in free agency to Rockets (per ESPN)

• Caris LeVert departs in free agency to Pistons (per multiple reports)

• Georges Niang departs via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)

• Terance Mann departs via trade 3-team trade (per multiple reports)

Nuggets trade Michael Porter Jr. and a pick to the Nets for Cam Johnson

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Report: Warriors have ‘optimism’ that Jonathan Kuminga will re-sign

If Kuminga opts to return to the Warriors with no offer sheet tendered by other teams, he will have to accept the $7.9 million qualifying offer to spend one more season with the team that drafted him, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent, giving him more freedom to pick and choose his next destination.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.