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.

Current Nuggets assistant Melvin Hunt as apparently become a serious option to be promoted to head coach, according to John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mitchell tweeted that Denver is seriously considering promoting Hunt and making him the 20th head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Hunt has spent the last three seasons as a assistant for Denver, he spent the previous five seasons as a assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the LeBron James era. Current Cleveland Cavaliers and former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown, who Hunt spent five seasons under said this about the 42 year old coach “He’s intelligent, he’s trustworthy, he works really hard and he has a presence as an assistant coach,” Brown said. “I think when you start combining those things, now you’re talking head coach. It’s just a matter of time, in my opinion, before he gets a shot.”

Hunt was responsible for coming up with game plans with former coach George Karl and is know for his work in developing players. He spent last summer overseas working out with forward Danilo Gallinari and center Timofey Mozgov. If the Nuggets were to promote Hunt, I think it would be a solid move as he is already familiar with Denver’s current system both offensively and defensively. Plus it could make for a smooth transition in hiring Hunt, as the current group of player’s on Denver’s roster is already comfortable with Hunt. Another positive in hiring Hunt, would be his communication skills. Over the past three seasons Hunt, has been very vocal on the sidelines and is known to be a player’s coach. According to multiple reports, Hunt is also being considered by the Philadelphia 76ers for their head coaching opening.