Warriors making pitch for Kevon Looney to return next season

OAKLAND, Calif. — Shaun Livingston was on the campaign trail Tuesday stumping for injured teammate, Kevon Looney, the backup role-playing big man and a free agent.

Looney’s fourth season in Golden State is over after busting his collarbone in Game 2, coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday. He may have played his last game as a Warrior.

Looney, 23, was the final pick of the first round in 2015 and management declined his fourth-year rookie-contract option. Still, Looney agreed to return on a $1.5 million one-year deal and showed his first-round flash with his gritty play.

Looney was huge during the playoffs when starting center DeMarcus Cousins went down early in the first round.

Though the Warriors probably can’t afford to bring back Cousins without any cap space, they should make a bid for Looney, the veteran Livingston said. Looney averaged 20 playoff minutes, scoring 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds on 73 percent shooting and has terrific analytics.

“With the playoffs he had, hopefully he’s rewarded for it,’’ Livingston said. “It’s put him in great position. What he provides to this team and organization is the extension of what guys that have been here like me, Draymond [Green], Andre [Iguodala]. He fits the mold. He’s a person you want to have in the organization. Those type of guys are valuable. You don’t want to lose those players and expect to continue success. Hopefully he’s rewarded for the play and value he’s created.”

Kerr sounded more upset for Looney than at any point during Kevin Durant’s month-long absence. Looney’s first three seasons in Golden State were underwhelming.

“I feel so bad for Loon, especially,’’ Kerr said. “Klay [Thompson] and Kevin, we’re very hopeful they’re going to be back out there.”

Raptors PG Kyle Lowry, who fouled out in Game 2, said of the Warriors’ injuries: “It doesn’t matter. They still have professional basketball players down there, and they’re really talented basketball players.”

These two games at Oracle Arena could be the final two in its history.

“It would be sweet to end it well for them,’’ Iguodala said. Warriors executives will give the national media a tour of Chase Center, their new San Francisco palace, this week.