Iguodala returning to Warriors on 1-year deal
Andre Iguodala is headed back to the Bay.
The 17-year veteran intends to return to the Golden State Warriors on a one-year deal, he told The New York Times' Jonathan Abrams.
Iguodala reportedly turned down consideration from the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, opting to return to the place where he won three NBA titles in six seasons and earned the 2015 Finals MVP award. He spent the last season-and-a-half with the Miami Heat but became a free agent after the team declined his option for 2021-22.
"Who would have thought I'd have the opportunity to go back to the place where I was able to have, whatever you want to call it, legacy years, in terms of the accomplishments, winning multiple championships, the relationships that I was able to build with some of my closest friends and teammates?" he told Abrams.
"The relationship with the fans, the relationship with the Bay, the opportunity to end it here, was just something special."
Iguodala will sign a veteran minimum contract with the Warriors, a source told Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
While he plans to sign a one-year deal at first, the 37-year-old didn't rule out potentially extending his stay in Golden State by another season come next summer.
"I think I've got some more time left," he said. "Where I'm comfortable at is I can decide when I'm ready to go. I think I want to leave with just a little bit left. I don't want to go out on one leg. I know I've got a few more years. It's just my decision whether it's one or two or three or whatever it may be. I shouldn't even say three. One or two."
The one-time All-Star averaged 7.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in six campaigns with the Warriors. He transitioned to a bench role in his second season with the club after a decade as a starter in the NBA.
Though he averaged career-low marks in scoring and minutes during his recent stint with the Heat, the 2004 ninth overall pick still projects to be a versatile defender for Golden State, which is expected to have its championship core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson together and fully healthy once again at some point next season.