NBA rumors: Warriors veteran still making decision on return vs. retirement

Golden State Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala has yet to officially close the door on his NBA career. 

Andre Iguodala was drafted to the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. In the decades since, he has put together quite the professional resume.

Iggy led the eight-seed Sixers to an improbable first-round victory over the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2011 playoffs. Then, he made his first and only All-Star appearance in 2012. It’s what Iguodala did in the next phase of his career, however, that will stand the test of time.

He spent one year with the Denver Nuggets from 2013-14 before joining the Golden State Warriors in 2014. He would essentially finish his career there, with a brief pit stop in Miami from 2019-21. Iguodala won four wings with the Warriors and even notched a Finals MVP award in 2015 for his tremendous defense on LeBron James.

Now, on the verge of what would be his 20th NBA season, Iggy is considering retirement. According to Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., however, the door isn’t closed on a return to the Bay Area for one last rodeo.

Door not closed on Andre Iguodala and Golden State Warriors for 2023-24 season

“My sense is Andre’s probably got some other stuff going,” Dunleavy told Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area when asked about Iguodala’s status for next season. “But he has my number. The phone is always on.”

Iguodala was reportedly frustrated with how last season played out. He battled multiple injuries and only managed eight regular season appearances before Golden State’s premature exit in the second round of the playoffs.

The 39-year-old has lost much of the athletic pop that once defined him. He’s a brilliant connective playmaker and defensive communicator, but Iggy can’t handle the same one-on-one matchups he once could and he’s a significant offensive liability due to his inconsistency from 3-point range.

Golden State would no doubt accept him back for another season. He has earned that much respect from the franchise, frankly — even if he’s not going to see much time on the floor. Iggy is also a great locker room presence to have around young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

“We’re not going to close the door on anything,” Dunleavy reiterated. “But my guess, and my belief, is that he won’t be back.” He then finished with the kicker: “But it’s Andre Iguodala. So, you never know.”

The Warriors have committed full-force to delivering Stephen Curry a roster capable of championship contention. Curry, Thompson, and Green have never won a ring without Iguodala. His absence will leave a definite hole in the soul of the organization.

But, such is the nature of sports. You can’t play forever. If Iguodala does indeed retire, he will be forever remembered as one of the best utility players in NBA history — a bonafide star who adjusted his approach and sacrificed his ego for the betterment of the team. He was richly rewarded for it, as were all of us watching Golden State’s dynasty unfold at home.