April 28, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Andre Iguodala (9) dunks against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 115-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Although there are many upsides to acquiring a player of Andre Iguodala’s stature, signing him would be huge mistake, as it would destroy the Golden State Warriors’ future cap space and force them to trade one of their budding young stars.
Iguodala does bring great defense on the wing, can push and finish strong in transition. However, his three-point shooting is atrocious, shooting 33 percent for his career. This is the foundation of this Warriors squad. Although he has proven to be fairly clutch, as shown by him raining down key threes late in regular season and playoff games against the Warriors, Iggy has been known to go quiet for stretches and becomes dependent on a ball-dominant point guard to get him open looks.
Although Iguodala moves extremely well without the ball, which would fit well with the outside shooting of Stephen Curry and the elite passing of David Lee and Andrew Bogut, the contract that the Warriors would have to give him would limit their flexibility in the future and lock up the trio of Curry, Iguodala, and Lee for many years.
The only way the Warriors are getting Iguodala is by giving up one of their great young assets–Klay Thompson or Harrison Barnes. Both are already under contract for the next few years and have franchise friendly deals, along with ridiculously high upsides. Either one could end up being top five player at their position within the next year or two. Is Iguodala a top five wing player? No, but he’s close. Does that garner a mini-max deal in the NBA? Unfortunately, yes.
Apr 26, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Andre Iguodala (9) passes the ball around the reach of Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) in the third quarter during game three of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Although he is already a proven asset, Iguodala is much older than the players the Warriors would have to give up to get him. He has a veteran’s knowledge of the game, but hasn’t had great playoff success in the weaker Eastern Conference. He is a lockdown defender on the wing, but is a notoriously terrible shooter. Iguodala is essentially a walking contradiction, but one who has won for the most part throughout his career.
Iguodala’s clutch trait cannot be overstated. He just simply comes up with big buckets in big moments, especially from the perimeter. This is one of the biggest positives of his game and could give the Warriors someone to take the final shot in close games, something they still don’t have in Stephen Curry.
Iguodala has stated that he really wants to come to Golden State to play with Curry. The two have a strong relationship from playing together on the USA Team. This is a great sign–the fact that coveted free agents want to play in Oracle. But Iguodala is about four years late of when the Warriors need him. it’s just not a great fit financially.