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The Warriors’ five best free agent signings ever

By Carlos Murillo

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Andre Iguodala

Golden State Warriors
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) celebrates after making a three-point basket during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Golden State Warriors signed the game’s best perimeter defender who has showcased his abilities on the biggest stage.

Few All-Stars have changed roles and sacrificed so much over the course of his career, especially during his prime, like Andre Iguodala has.

Coming off a great playoff run that saw them upset the (Iguodala’s) Nuggets and push the San Antonio Spurs to six games, the Warriors were looking to continue building. They aggressively pursued top free agents, more than they ever had before.

Iguodala, two seasons removed from his All-Star appearance, chose to join the Warriors’ rising core. He had a great lone year in Denver, leading them to a franchise best 57 wins while averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

This was a huge signing for Golden State has a franchise because it showed that they were making real noise in a tough Western Conference. The Splash Brothers emerged as one of the league’s premier backcourts and Curry was a rising star. What they were building was exciting and players wanted to be a part of it.

Iguodala was and still is an elite perimeter defender. His basketball IQ is off the charts, knowing exactly what to do every single time. His versatility allowed Golden State to create something special in the coming years. His offensive game, while not a strength, was decent. He could put the ball in the basket if he needed to, as he did in Philadelphia and Denver.

Golden State saw firsthand what he could do in the playoffs, averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists against them. It became a bit of foreshadowing as Iguodala, who spend the entire 2014-15 season coming off the bench, started Games 4-6 in the NBA Finals, helped clinch the Warriors’ first title in 40 years, and won Finals MVP.

Iguodala’s impact on the growth and development of all of Golden State’s young players cannot be stressed enough. He’s been one of the most important players on a few of the greatest teams in NBA history. And his willingness to sacrifice, coming off the bench for the first time in his career, is admirable.

He was also crucial in recruiting the guy who tops this list. It’s safe to say Golden State is content with that signing.

Next: Swingman from the Seventies

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