The 8 Worst Golden State Warriors roster decisions of the last decade
By Sam LaFrance
![SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Jordan Poole #3 during the third quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Jordan Poole #3 during the third quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9bc5b6344b4f7441eee5dd138ca97e89e537dd3b85aae9fd7cbd9222b2835682.jpg)
2. The Golden State Warriors pay to offload Andre Iguodala
On July 7, 2019, the Golden State Warriors traded away a staple of their championship core — Andre Iguodala. Golden State agreed to a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies where they offloaded Iguodala, a top-four protected first-round draft pick for 2024, and some cash in exchange for Julian Washburn.
Washburn never appeared in a game for the Dubs and was waived just 10 days after the trade.
The same can be said for Iguodala, who never suited up for Memphis. Instead, he refused to play and eventually forced a trade to the Miami Heat. Once arriving in Miami, the veteran wing played a key role in the team’s surprise run to the 2020 NBA Finals.
Yes, the move was made to free up salary cap space — oddly enough to sign D’Angelo Russell in order for the Warriors to remain competitive after Kevin Durant’s departure. The problem is that they weren’t able to. Immediately after trading Iguodala, Golden State missed the playoffs for the first time since before Bob Myers took over in 2012.
Would keeping the aging forward have helped the Warriors avoid the drop-off? Probably not.
However, they did wind up bringing him back for the 2021-22 season — a year where they won yet another NBA championship.