NBA rumors: Warriors and Lakers among teams battling for Andre Iguodala

According to Shams Charania, NBA veteran Andre Iguodala has narrowed down his choice of next destination to Brooklyn, Golden State, and Los Angeles.

At 37 years old with three NBA titles under his belt, Andre Iguodala can afford to be picky in free agency. With their eyes on other prized free agents, the Miami Heat did not pick up their team option on the 2015 Finals MVP, sending Iguodala into unrestricted free agency. His best basketball is probably behind him at this stage, but he’ll make a valuable contributor to any contenders.

On Thursday, Shams Charania reported that Iguodala has one of three teams in mind for 2021-22: the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, or Los Angeles Lakers. So, you know, three of the top four teams that are favored to win the next NBA Championship. We’re not sure what the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks did to get left off Iguodala’s list, but we’re guessing it has something to do with winter in Wisconsin.

Andre Iguodala wants to sign with a championship contender

Clearly, Iguodala wants another ring and likes teaming up with living legends. Who wouldn’t want to play alongside Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, or LeBron James?

Whatever team Iguodala decides to suit up for next will surely be hoping he left his shooting funk in South Beach. Iguodala featured in 63 games for the Heat this past season, averaging 21.3 minutes per contest but shooting a career-worst 38.3 percent from the floor. That’s a full 8.0 percent less than his average (46.3) over 17 seasons in the NBA, a substantial drop-off. Iguodala averaged just 4.4 points per game in two seasons in Miami, a far cry from the 19.9 he scored as a 24-year-old back in his days with the Philadelphia 76ers.

That said, Iguodala provides countless defensive intangibles that don’t appear on a boxscore. Regardless of who he ends up signing with, the pre-season expectation for the team will be championship or bust. Iguodala will bring another layer of veteran savvy that any team seeking a title needs. Good luck to those in pursuit.