The Golden State Warriors' dynasty is alive and thriving. As they look ahead toward winning an incredible fifth championship in nine seasons, though, the status of one franchise pillar is still up in the air.
Andre Iguodala is a free agent this summer, and there's a sense the 38-year-old has already played his final NBA game. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, both Warriors general manager Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr made it clear they'd welcome Iguodala back with open arms, though are currently anywhere of his plans for the future.
Both Bob Myers and Steve Kerr said they've yet to hear if Andre Iguodala will/won't retire and get the sense that the decision hasn't been made.
Kerr: "It's a really big decision for him. If he decides to come back, we'd be thrilled."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 22, 2022
Iguodala signed a one-year deal with Golden State last July for the veteran's minimum after spending the last two seasons with the Miami Heat. Though he proved he's still an effective one-on-one defender with the overall basketball intelligence to make a positive impact on both ends for the Warriors, the limitations of Iguodala's game amid aging and nagging pain in his right knee were laid barer than ever in 2021-22.
He appeared in just seven playoff games for the Warriors, sidelined by knee inflammation early then losing minutes to Gary Payton II and even Nemanja Bjelica in the second half of the NBA Finals.
The 2015 Finals MVP and a member of all six Golden State teams to win the Western Conference during the Kerr era, Iguodala is revered in the Bay Area for his advanced understanding of the game and stoic, team-first leadership qualities.
This moment between Andrew Wiggins and Andre Iguodala in the closing moments of Game 6 pic.twitter.com/lY6nmNFgSS
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2022
Might he return to the Warriors next season as a full-time assistant coach? Kerr, for his part, laughed off that suggestion on Wednesday while lauding Iguodala's basketball acumen.
Would Steve Kerr want Andre Iguodala back as a player? Kerr:"I would love him back on the roster if it works out." How about as a coach? Kerr: "He’s way too smart to sit next to me and come to all of our coaches meetings."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 22, 2022
The days of Iguodala being a crucial cog for Golden State are over. His value to the team going forward would be more about his overall presence in the locker room and on the bench than anything he does on the floor, like Udonis Haslem with the Miami Heat.
Is Iguodala interested in that type of role? Maybe, but his many non-basketball interests in Silicon Valley may take bigger precedent now that he's officially reached the twilight of his playing career. The Warriors, obviously, would love to have a champion like Iguodala back either way.
Follow Us
Subscribe