Iguodala Opts Out to Test Free Agency

According to a report from Yahoo! Sports’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Nuggets forward Andre Iguodala will opt out of the final year of his contract and test the free agent market this summer. Iguodala will leave $15.9 million on the table, in which he was owed for next season in order to test his value on the open market. Denver Nuggets CEO and President Josh Kroenke had this to say on Iguodala’s decision, “We are fully aware of Andre’s intentions and he’s well aware of how much we want him back,” Kroenke told Yahoo! Sports Friday afternoon. “Andre is a huge priority for our organization.” Iguodala now has until June 25th to exercise his ETO and opt out of his current contract, he will now be eligible to sign a four-year contract with another team or a five-year extension with Denver. The move really doesn’t come as a surprise as Iguodala has seemingly chosen long-term security, over short-term financial gain.

Iguodala will certainly draw interest from multiple teams, given his versatile skill-set and lock-down defensive ability. According to Wojnarowski’s report, as many as six teams will be interested in acquiring the nine year veteran’s services. That list includes the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans. Also according to Marcus Thompson a beat writer for the Golden State Warriors, the Warriors are also interested in Iguodala and the feeling could be mutual. Thompson goes on to say that Iguodala would be interested in playing for Golden State because, he likes their style of play and apparently grew close to guard Stephen Curry while playing for Team USA last summer. However, the only option for the Warriors in acquiring Iguodala would have to be a sign and trade deal, which could potentially include guard Klay Thompson or forward Harrison Barnes coming to Denver. Last season with the Nuggets, Iguodala averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 45% from the field, 32% from the three point line and 57% from the free throw line. Free Agency begins on July 1st, with players being able to sign with teams starting July 10th.