The Golden State Warriors currently have two roster spots available for a guaranteed contract with NBA training camp just over a week away. They could award one of the players invited to camp with a deal should they earn one with their performance. But, no matter what happens during camp, they will keep at least one spot open for Andre Iguodala.
Golden State has given Iguodala the chance to decide if he wants to play anymore. A spot will be waiting for him until he tells them that he no longer wishes to continue his career and would be heading into retirement.
Some people may find that to be a poor use of resources as there are only so many roster spots available. However, the Warriors’ entire franchise, from ownership to the front office and down to the coaching staff and roster all love Iguodala. If he wants to come back later in training camp or at some point in the regular season, they will welcome him back with open arms.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers was recently on The TK Show on The Athletic and discussed a number of topics. One of them was Iguodala, who Meyers has the utmost respect for. There is a lot that Iguodala can bring to the team that they won’t find in anyone else.
“[Andre Iguodala] is one of the few people in the world who can look Stephen Curry or Draymond Green or Klay Thompson in the eye and meet them at their level, but also grab a Jordan Poole or James Wiseman or Jonathan Kuminga and speak to them and encourage them. There’s no one else in the league that can do that for our team. And we think he can still play and help us in certain spots. So we really want him back. This isn’t like a charity thing. It’s not, ‘Oh, you know, we can’t not say yes to Andre because he’s won championships.’ We have pursued him more than he has pursued us.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Andre Iguodala & Golden State Warriors Updates
Iguodala wasn’t an as integral part of the rotation during the regular season and postseason, but he still plays an important part for the team. He is someone that everyone respects and when he talks he commands the room. He operates almost as an extra assistant coach that can be inserted into the game when need be.
As Meyers stated, there isn’t another player that can fill that void as no one has the pull that Iguodala does, at least within that organization. He was there for all of the titles so he has a relationship with the Big 3 and as the veteran of the team, he can grab the attention of the younger guys as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Andre Iguodala & Golden State Warriors Updates
It makes a lot of sense for the Warriors to keep a roster spot open for him as long as they can. There isn’t a player available that can provide the same impact he can, so there is no rush to fill the roster with other end-of-the-bench players.
