Andre Iguodala returning to Warriors for final NBA season

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Andre Iguodala will return to the Golden State Warriors for his 19th and final season, the veteran said on Friday.

Iguodala, 38, who won his fourth championship with Golden State last season, revealed the news on his “Point Forward” podcast. He said he was “retired for the majority of the summer” before deciding to come back for one more.

“I’m letting you know, Steph [Curry],” Iguodala joked, “this is the last one.”

Iguodala, who was a premier defensive starter in the NBA during his prime, has changed roles as he’s aged to be an energizing bench presence. 

Although the veteran forward only averaged 19.5 minutes and four points a game last season off the bench, Iguodala was a mentor to younger players and is “someone you want around,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said on Thursday.

“There’s so much that he does that is not on the court and there’s a lot he does on the court, too,” Myers said. “And it’s really hard to find that kind of stability and leadership on a team that he brings. Even for Steve [Kerr] and myself, I can go talk to Andre, he just knows. He’s really smart. He knows our team. He’s a true professional. He understands the league. He’s seen a lot.”

The Warriors reportedly held a spot for Iguodala during the off-season and no other teams offered deals to Iguodala, Myers said. The 38-year-old veteran rejoining the Warriors also fills up Golden State’s 14th roster spot.

Andre Iguodala will return to Golden State for his final campaign this season.
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

“I am blaming Steph, Draymond [Green] and Klay [Thompson]. Steve [Kerr] a little bit, Bob Myers, I think they just showed me a lot of love,” Iguodala said about his return. 

“They helped me see my presence outside of physically playing basketball, but also, I think Steve was a big culprit of, ‘We really need you on the court.’

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