Golden State Warriors In Danger Of Losing Key Piece Of Their Rotation

The Golden State Warriors have had an incredible run these last few seasons, netting two titles over the last three years – and now may be losing a key piece of those title teams.

In the wake of their incredibly success, the Golden State Warriors are learning a hard lesson. A lesson best encapsulated in the old say, “if you can’t beat ’em – raid their roster and hope to be like ’em.” Or – something like that.

Having posted a scintillating record of 207-39 over the past three seasons, winning two NBA titles, and dominating the league in almost every conceivable fashion, the Warriors are building a dynasty in the Bay Area.

Except, now they may have to continue building without a key piece of their rotation.

More from Golden State Warriors

Andre Iguodala, a valuable and key piece of Golden State’s bench is considering offers from other teams. In fact, given reports, he has no plans to meet with the Warriors at the outset of free agency at all.

According to a report by ESPN, Iguodala is going to take his first meeting the moment the free agency window opens – 12:01 am on Saturday night in Los Angeles. And that first meeting is going to be with one of Golden State’s Western Conference rivals – the San Antonio Spurs.

And given that the Spurs have been chasing Golden State the last few years – closely chasing them – adding a piece like Iguodala not only strengthens their position, but would weaken Golden State’s, making it a potential double-whammy.

A number of teams have already expressed interest in talking to the 2015 NBA Finals MVP and finalist for this year’s Sixth Man of the Year. Among them are the Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers – who originally traded him to Golden State – the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, and Utah Jazz.

Next: Thompson Not Headed For LA - Probably

It would seem logical that Iguodala wants to go somewhere he can perhaps start – but definitely to a team that is a playoff contender. Which would seem to whittle down the list of serious players for his services.

Given that he’s been with Golden State for three years and did not arrive as a free agent, the Warriors hold his “Bird Rights” and can exceed the salary cap to keep him if they chose to. But given the massive amount of money this organization is going to have to pump into their Core Four – Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson – to keep the unit together, it becomes a matter of how valuable Iguodala actually is to them.

Is he valuable enough to endure the hellish amounts of money they’ll be forced to pay out, thanks to the league’s luxury tax?

Most believe the Warriors want Iguodala back – and given his value to the team, they’d be fools not to. But they want to gauge what his value is on the open market before coming back with what they hope is a fair offer.

Iguodala – 33 years old now – probably knows he’s closer to the end of his playing days than the beginning and wants one last solid payday. But the rub is that he also very likely wants to keep that taste of winning in his mouth.

Other teams may be able to give him more money, but can they realistically compete for rings?

That’s something that Iguodala is going to have to weigh out – what’s more valuable to him, a few million more, or the legacy that comes with winning titles. Just as much as the Warriors are going to have to measure out Iguodala’s value to the team and how his salary can fit into a core that’s going to eat up most all of the cap space.

Iguodala is set to meet with San Antonio right out of the gate. But deals can’t be consummated until July seventh – which means that the Warriors are on the clock and need to figure some things out quickly.

Home/Golden State Warriors