After 18 years in the NBA, Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala officially announced his plans to return for his 19th season during an episode of the ‘Point Forward’ podcast.
He also made sure to confirm right then and there that it will be his last run in the league.
“The special announcement is that I myself will be returning for my 19th season and ET [Evan Turner] and I will be returning throughout the season, on the road, to perform our Point Forward duties, our Point Forward responsibilities and to give you access to what’s going on in the NBA… I’m letting you know now, Steph, this the last one.”
Iguodala, 38, was never the Warriors’ best player, but he became somebody on and off the court that his teammates really resonated with.
The Warriors’ Core Players Teamed Up To Convince Andre Iguodala To Stay For One More Season
After winning his fourth championship this past June, he strongly was considering hanging it up for good before Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and others changed his mind. On his podcast, he explained that it was a group effort in making the pitch.
“I’m gonna blame a few people. Steph Curry is one person that I’m gonna blame,” Iguodala said on Friday’s edition of Point Forward. “But as a group, I’m blaming Draymond, Steph and Klay, Steve Kerr a little bit, Bob Myers. I think they really just showed me a lot of love. They really helped me see my presence outside of physically playing basketball, but also I think Steve was a big culprit in terms of like, ‘Listen, we really need you on the court,’ and Draymond was big on that as well with the texts.”
The Warriors are not your typical NBA franchise. With a solid group of leaders at the top and a number of high-profile stars willing to buy in, the Warriors are a team that has forged their own identity, and it has made them the prized jewel of the league.
So while retiring with a ring would have made the perfect ending for Iggy, how could he not at least try to go for another? This season, that’s exactly what he’ll be doing as he works to maintain a culture of selflessness and accountability for Golden State.
