When the Golden State Warriors won three NBA championships from 2015 to 2018, one of their most important role players was Andre Iguodala.
He played both shooting guard and small forward while handling the ball, making plays in transition, hitting the open man, defending at a high level and scoring when needed.
With the Warriors trailing the 2015 NBA Finals two games to one against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, head coach Steve Kerr moved Iguodala into the starting lineup, and he turned the series around.
Iguodala put up big numbers in the next three games, as Golden State won them all and took home the world championship.
He left to join the Miami Heat for the 2019-20 campaign, but he came back to the Warriors this past season, where he helped them win yet another ring.
With four championships under his belt, the 38-year-old Iguodala is a free agent, and he hasn’t decided whether he wants to play again.
The Warriors have reportedly held a roster spot open for him, and Kerr is giving him the space he needs to decide what’s best for him.
The Warriors last roster spot is being held for Andre Iguodala, who’s still weighing whether or not he wants to retire.
Steve Kerr isn’t rushing him into making a decision either, giving respect to the OG, per @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/1CL39G7DeQ
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) August 2, 2022
The Warriors certainly shouldn’t pressure Iguodala into doing anything, but other than that, they should do what they can to convince him to play one more year for them, as they could use him.
Golden State Has Lost Some Key Depth
This offseason didn’t get off to a good start for the Warriors, as several important bench players left in free agency.
Damion Lee, Gary Payton II, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Otto Porter Jr. all decided to go elsewhere, leaving the team thinner.
Golden State recouped some depth by signing JaMychal Green, and he will certainly give the team some quality depth at the backup 4 spot.
But the backcourt still lacks depth.
Moses Moody, who is going into his second season, didn’t play that much this past season, and although he played very well in the NBA Summer League last month, it is yet to be seen how much he will contribute in the upcoming campaign.
Jordan Poole has emerged as a key bench player in the backcourt, but he isn’t the greatest defender around.
In addition, there is always the change of a key injury, particularly to Klay Thompson, as he’s coming off a torn ACL and Achilles, and history has shown that players who have suffered a torn Achilles are prone to further injuries after they return.
In addition, there is something Iguodala can supply that no other role player on the roster can.
Iguodala’s Veteran Experience Is Invaluable
At his age, Iguodala perhaps shouldn’t be playing that many minutes, especially in the regular season, but come playoff time, he can still be a vital piece.
His basketball IQ and experience, particularly on the defensive end, can help swing important postseason games.
https://twitter.com/CedricSayings/status/1554480836938170373
Iguodala has guarded just about all of the NBA’s stars over the years, and he could perhaps teach his younger teammates some things on that end of the floor.
He may become the equivalent of an aging wide receiver who only gets on the field in certain third-down situations, or even Udonis Haslem, the 42-year-old Miami Heat big man who is more of an unofficial assistant coach than player these days, but Iguodala can still be of service to the Warriors.
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