Looks like sixth man Andre Iguodala will not be part of the Golden State Warriors next season. According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, Iguodala has no scheduled meeting with the Warriors but the star plans to start listening to other teams interested in his services as soon as free agency starts Saturday. Among those interested in Iguodala’s services are the Minnesota Timberwolves, the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Orlando Magic, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Utah Jazz, who are all ready to offer him a long-term deal worth around $20 million per year.
Weeks ago, it looked certain that Iguodala will sign a multi-year deal with the Warriors worth between $8 and $12 million per season. But now, Iguodala’s future with the Warriors is now unclear. Earlier, Kevin Durant expressed willingness to ask for a 20-percent increase in salary next season, from $26.5 million last season to $31.8 million next season, to accommodate Iguodala’s new contract. Durant is willing to make a financial sacrifice just to keep the group together and “see how far we can go with this thing."
Warriors trying to avoid paying luxury tax
According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Warriors’ front office is trying to avoid paying the luxury tax in its negotiation with Iguodala.
Charania’s source said team owner Joe Lacob is concerned about how re-signing Iguodala could plunge the Warriors deep into the luxury tax. The Warriors have their hands full in free agency this summer. They are expected to sign Steph Curry to a super maximum five-year deal worth more than $200 million. The Warriors will also give Durant a significant increase from his last season’s salary.
On Thursday, Durant informed the Warriors that he will decline the $27.7 million option for next season, officially making him an unrestricted free agent Saturday. However, Durant repeatedly claimed that he plans to sign again with the Warriors. In the NBA Finals, Durant averaged 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 blocks as he led the Warriors to a five-game win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His outstanding performance earned him the Finals MVP trophy.
Iguodala looking for long-term stability
Th 32-year-old Iguodala is eyeing a multi-year deal that will give him and his family financial stability as he heads into the twilight of his career. He was a starter with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets but accepted a sixth man role when he signed with the Warriors in 2013. Iguodala was a known scorer in his stints with the Sixers and the Nuggets but showed his other facets of his game with the Warriors. These facets include his defense that helped the team win the NBA Finals in 2015 where he was named MVP.