It is almost a certainty that Andre Iguodala will remain with the Golden State Warriors, and will suit up for them next season. According to Tim Kawakami of San Jose Mercury News, Iguodala will likely sign a multi-year deal worth between $8 and $12 million per season. However, Kawakami said there are some details that need to be ironed out, including the number of years, before the two sides make it official. Earlier, Iguodala expressed his intention to stay with the Warriors.
At 32, Iguodala is looking for a multi-year deal that will offer stability as he enters the later stages of his career.
After he played one year with the Denver Nuggets, Iguodala signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Warriors. With a talent-laden team, Iguodala accepted a Sixth Man role with the Warriors despite being a starter with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Nuggets. The Atlanta Hawks and the Phoenix Suns also plan to pursue Iguodala in free agency.
Kevin Durant will not ask for max salary next season
The Warriors will be able to retain Iguodala after Kevin Durant admitted recently that he will ask for only a 20 percent increase in salary from $26.5 million last season to $31.8 million next season. If he asks for a maximum salary, Durant would earn about $35.5M but the Warriors would have to let go of Iguodala and backup point guard Shaun Livingston.
Earlier, Durant said he wants to keep the group together and “see how far we can go with this thing."
Can Golden State keep backup guard Shaun Livingston?
The Warriors can also keep Livingston if he accepts a two-year deal with a salary of around $6 million to $7 million per season. The Warriors cannot sign Livingston to a long-term deal as Klay Thompson’s contract will expire in two years and they will need salary cap room to keep him.
Aside from Iguodala and Livingston, the Warriors will try to keep other free agents like Ian Clark, JaVale McGee, Zaza Pachulia, David West, James Michael McAdoo and Matt Barnes. The Warriors will face issues in 2018 if they keep the majority of their free agents.
If they sign Durant, Curry, Iguodala and Livingston, the Warriors will not be able to offer more than the minimum to any other free agents.
If this is the situation, Clark, who played quality minutes for the Warriors last season, could bolt and sign a contract worth $6 million to $8 million per season with another squad. However, there will be other free agents willing to earn the veteran minimum to have a shot at a title with the Warriors.
