The longtime Warriors’ vet will have a spot on the team if he decides to play next season.
Fans of the Golden State Warriors may be frustrated by the team’s lack of activity during free agency as they’ve opted towards reloading their championship roster through bigger roles for their younger players. However, the impact of last year’s veterans towards winning the title cannot be understated. Since veteran leadership is key to any winning team, it makes sense that Golden State is keeping a roster spot open for longtime Warrior wing Andre Iguodala according to an article by Anthony Slater of The Athletic
In here: Warriors are still waiting on an official retirement-or-return decision from Andre Iguodala. They’ve put no timeline on it. Roster spot remains there for him if he chooses to come back. https://t.co/3PKffDTGa3
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 13, 2022
The article states that Iguodala is still contemplating his decision to play in what will be his 19th year in the league next season. Because of his history with the team, the Warriors are giving him all the time he needs to come to the decision on his own terms.
Via The Athletic:
“The Warriors have imposed no firm deadline on an Andre Iguodala retirement-or-return decision. If he opts to play another season, a roster spot will be awaiting him. It’d be easier for the Warriors to piece together their full roster plans if they already knew either way on Iguodala, but this isn’t a decision (or a person) the Warriors can push on a particular timeline.”
At 38 years old, the savvy Warriors vet struggled to stay healthy as nagging injuries kept him out for a majority of the season. He showed glimpses of his elite defensive prowess in the minutes he did play, but ultimately his body could not hold up to the rigors of an NBA schedule. In 31 regular season games, he averaged 4.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 19.5 minutes per game.
Although he struggled to find playing time on the court, Iguodala provided value to the team in his role as a mentor off the court. Throughout the season, Iguodala could frequently be seen coaching up the team’s younger players. He even played a big role in helping out assistant coach Mike Brown when Steve Kerr was ruled out with COVID-19 during Game 3 of the playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Coach Iguodala pic.twitter.com/9RX5PYilqd
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) June 9, 2022
Warriors coach Mike Brown says says Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green stepped up and took over as player coaches in light of Head Coach Steve Kerr being rules out in the ninth hour due to COVID. Brown says they made his job much easier. @kron4news #dubnation #goldblooded
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) May 10, 2022
Whether he returns or not, Iguodala has been a fixture of this current Warriors dynasty. His leadership both on and off the court has guided the team to 4 championships during his tenure and he will forever be a favorite of Dub Nation.