The Spurs and Rockets — the two biggest challengers to the Warriors in the West (if not the NBA) — tried to weaken Golden State with some addition by subtraction.
Both teams went after Andre Iguodala and tried to pry him away with offers.
Ultimately, they made Iguodala more money. And will hit the Warriors with a tax bill.
The Warriors upped their offer in the past 24 hours and Iguodala will take it, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Iguodala was the Finals MVP two years ago and has been runner up as Sixth Man of the Year the past two years, both underscoring his importance to Golden State as the guy who makes their small lineup works. He can’t be ignored on offense or he can put up buckets. On defense he can switch one through four. He also is loved in the Warriors locker room.
Sorry rest of the NBA, the Warriors aren’t getting weaker. It’s just costing them a little more money.
Credit to Warriors ownership for paying up, they could have tried to save money by letting Iguodala or Shaun Livingston go, but they have signed up for a big tax bill to keep an elite team together.
Source: Kurt Helin| NBC
