The Golden State Warriors failed to win over free agent center Dwight Howard who is heading to the Houston Rockets. That didn’t deter the franchise from signing free agent guard-forward Andre Iguodala to a four-year $48 million contract.
In order to sign him Golden State sent Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins and Brandon Rush along with first round picks in 2014 and 2017 and future second round picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kevin Murphy who has a contract that isn’t guaranteed for the 2013-2014 season. By clearing $24 million it gave the Warriors a chance to make a move for both Howard and Iguodala, though only one will be in the Bay Area during the 2013-2014 it’s a great acquisition for the team.
Iguodala handles the ball well and allows for point guard Stephen Curry to play off the ball, plays solid defense and provides leadership. Prior to the 2012-2013 season he got traded to the Denver Nuggets where he averaged 13 points, 5.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals on 45.1 percent shooting, 31.7 percent from beyond the arc and 57.4 percent from the free throw line. Spent his first eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and had his best season in 2006-2007 averaging 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 2 steals on 44.7 percent shooting, 31 percent from the three-point line and 82 percent from the free throw line.
Golden State projected starting lineup is one of the strongest with:
PG– Curry
SG– Iguodala
SF– Harrison Barnes
PF– David Lee
C– Andrew Bogut
Now the attention will turn to re-signing two important players who came off the bench during the 2012-2013, Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry. By bringing back their two best performers along with with Klay Thompson who is more likely to come off the bench than Barnes the Warriors will be among the top teams in the Western Conference.
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