Andre Iguodala Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Warriors Notes: Rookies, Roster, Iguodala, Summer League

June 24th, 2022 at 10:04pm CST by Rory Maher

The Warriors selected Patrick Baldwin Jr. with their first-round pick (No. 28) in a gamble on his upside, and he’ll bring a familiar, appreciated mentality to Golden State, writes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.

As Poole details, Baldwin was a five-star recruit entering college, but was limited to just 11 games for Wisconsin-Milwaukee due to a serious ankle injury, which had some questioning his toughness. The young forward insists that isn’t an issue.

“There’s never a point where if I feel like I’m healthy that I feel like I should sit out,” Baldwin told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I know that’s contrary to popular belief with some people. If I’m healthy, I’m playing, but at some points I was pushing through it. But if there was a sliver of a chance I could play for my team and compete, I’m going out there to play.”

Baldwin averaged 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per contest as a freshman last season, but his shooting line of .344/.266/.743 was dreadful. He also tested extremely poorly at the combine last month, Poole notes, recording just a 26.5 inch maximum vertical leap, one of the worst marks in the last 10 years.

“I’m a better athlete than I showed that day,” Baldwin told Poole. “I’m a firm believer in that. I know I’ve got to come out here and really show that’s not an issue. That’s all you can do. You can’t sit and talk about it. You’ve got to do it.”

President of basketball operations Bob Myers recently said that Baldwin still needs to be medically cleared for Summer League action, so it sounds like the ankle might still be an issue (Twitter link via Anthony Slater of The Athletic).

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Myers also touched on the team’s second-round selections, per Slater. Golden State expects to have Ryan Rollins on the 15-man roster, but might draft-and-stash Gui Santos. The Warriors traded up to acquire Rollins at No. 44, while the Brazilian forward Santos was the team’s own pick at No. 55.
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic provides a player-by-player breakdown of the team’s roster following the draft. Myers said drafting young players is desirable in part because they’re so difficult to obtain in free agency. “It’s easier to get some of the older players, we think, in free agency, than young players. Young players are probably the most in demand in free agency. Obviously trading for them is extremely difficult. So that’s why we draft some guys like that,” he said as part of a larger quote.
Andre Iguodala has earned “player-emeritus status” with the Warriors, Monte Poole states in a separate article. Iguodala is undecided on whether or not he’s going to retire, but the team would be “thrilled” to have him back. Poole argues that Iguodala’s off-court impact is incredibly valuable to Golden State and the team should keep him as long as he wants to stick around, like what Miami does with Udonis Haslem.
The Warriors expect James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to all participate in Summer League, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, who says the trio has a big opportunity to improve this offseason. Wiseman, of course, missed all of last season after multiple setbacks from a couple of knee surgeries.

Warriors Notes: No. 28 Pick, Looney, Payton, Wiseman, Iguodala, More

June 22nd, 2022 at 4:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking today to reporters, Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers said that money won’t be the deciding factor as the team weighs whether to use or trade the No. 28 overall pick, as Kendra Andrews of ESPN relays (via Twitter).

“It’ll be if it makes sense,” Myers said of a possible trade.

Besides the financial aspect, the Warriors will have to consider whether there’s a player they like at No. 28 enough to add another rookie to a young core that already includes several recent lottery picks.

According to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, the Celtics, Knicks, and Magic are among the teams that have expressed interest in the No. 28 pick.

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Asked about the Warriors’ key free agents, starting with Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II, Myers said, “Our hope and our goal is to bring all of those guys back” (Twitter link via Mark Medina of NBA.com). However, he added that Golden State will be mindful of the marketplace, suggesting there may be a price point the team won’t exceed. Myers also spoke at length about the ownership’s willingness to pay an ever-growing tax bill as long as the Warriors remain a title contender (video link via Anthony Slater of The Athletic).
According to Myers, the Warriors would like to extend Andrew Wiggins‘ and Jordan Poole‘s contracts this offseason, but those talks may not be on the front burner to start the summer, since the deadline for a Poole extension isn’t until October, and Wiggins could be extended during the season (Twitter link via Andrews).
The Warriors aren’t giving head coach Steve Kerr a mandate to play youngsters James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody a certain amount next season. “If there are guys playing better, we’ll play those guys,” Myers said (Twitter link via Medina).
Wiseman hasn’t experienced any recent setbacks and the plan remains for him to play in either the California Classic or Las Vegas Summer League in July, Myers said today (Twitter link via Medina). That plan was reported earlier this month.
Neither Myers nor Kerr is certain whether or not Andre Iguodala will retire this summer, tweets Slater. “It’s a really big decision for him,” Kerr said. “If he decides to come back, we’d be thrilled.”

Stephen Curry To Play Without Restrictions In Game 4

June 10th, 2022 at 12:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who injured his left foot in Wednesday’s Game 3 loss to the Celtics, went through shootaround on Friday and is feeling good, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters, including ESPN’s Kendra Andrews (Twitter link).

Curry, who had been listed as probable on the injury report for Game 4, will play on Friday and won’t be under any kind of minutes restriction, according to Andrews.

Curry came up limping with about four minutes left in the fourth quarter of Game 3 after Al Horford rolled onto his left leg while the two players battled for a loose ball. The two-time MVP was walking with a limp after the game and compared the injury to the left foot strain that cost him the final 12 games of the regular season, but said it was “not as bad” this time around.

With 31.3 points per game on .485/.486/.833 shooting through the first three games of the NBA Finals, Curry will have to play a key role if the Warriors hope to erase their 2-1 deficit and win their fourth championship in the last eight years.

Andre Iguodala (right knee inflammation) and Otto Porter Jr. (left foot soreness) are listed as questionable to play in Friday’s contest.

Warriors Notes: Payton, Curry, Thompson, Assistant Coaches

June 8th, 2022 at 7:31pm CST by Arthur Hill

Gary Payton II has become a fan favorite in his first full season with the Warriors, writes Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. Some of the affection stems from his Oakland roots and some can be explained by the years-long struggle he had to make the league before earning a roster spot with Golden State.

Payton received a thunderous ovation when he entered Sunday’s Game 2, playing for the first time since fracturing his left elbow in the second-round series against Memphis. He consistently provides energy off the bench and fans have responded, putting him in the top five among team jersey sales since the playoffs began.

“So hard to make this league in general,” Stephen Curry said, “but even harder (to be an) NBA player’s son trying to follow in the dad’s footsteps. It’s a different challenge and journey for him coming out of college, trying to find his way, G League, training camp offers, bouncing around the league, all over the place, then finally finding a home. … I think he was on two-way last year. He was available but not really. Then knowing he could really help us this year, he’s actually proven to be an amazing difference-maker. I think fans really resonate with that.”

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Curry is quickly shedding his reputation as a poor defender, according to Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle, adding that opponents are finding it harder to attack him on pick-and-rolls. “Teams used to try to call Steph into every action, and just try to pick on him, but that doesn’t work anymore,” Draymond Green said. “He’s able to hold his ground, so you’re not able to bump him off his spot, and that’s been huge for us. I’m not shocked he’s playing that type of defense.”
Klay Thompson has been watching online videos of his past highlights in an effort to break out of his shooting slump, Letourneau states in a mailbag column. Thompson shot just 4-of-19 in Game 2 and was 1-of-8 from three-point range. Letourneau expects coach Steve Kerr to run some early pick-and-roll action for Thompson tonight, noting that he was the team’s most efficient scorer from that set this season.
Former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel and assistant David Fizdale could be candidates to join Kerr’s staff next season, Letourneau adds in the same piece. The Warriors are already losing Mike Brown to Sacramento, and Kenny Atkinson is one of the finalists to be the next head coach in Charlotte.
Payton, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr., who were all listed as questionable, will be able to play tonight, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Warriors Notes: Wiggins, Iguodala, GPII, Klay

June 7th, 2022 at 5:38pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has been an integral player during the club’s 2022 NBA Finals run, prompting Zach Lowe of ESPN to take a deep dive revisiting Golden State’s acquisition of the 27-year-old – who made his first All-Star team this year – and exploring what retaining Wiggins could cost the club going forward.

After former Warriors All-Star Kevin Durant decided to join the Nets during the 2019 offseason, Golden State team president Bob Myers convinced Durant and Brooklyn to agree to a double sign-and-trade that would send out the two-time Finals MVP and a future Warriors draft pick in exchange for 2019 All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell. Golden State then sent Russell to the Timberwolves at the 2020 trade deadline. In the deal, the Warriors received Wiggins and a top-three protected first-round draft pick, which eventually was used to select rookie small forward Jonathan Kuminga in 2021.

Wiggins has been a solid two-way player in the postseason, and Lowe notes that his defense on Mavericks All-Star guard Luka Doncic and now Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum has been instrumental for Golden State. It took Wiggins some time to fit into the Warriors’ switch-heavy offensive scheme and get comfortable with more off-ball movement than he was used to while with Minnesota.

“In this system, you have to move a lot,” Wiggins said. “A lot of the positions are almost interchangeable.”

After this season, Wiggins has one year left and $33.6MM on the hefty rookie scale contract extension he signed with the Timberwolves. Lowe notes that breakout Warriors guard Jordan Poole is eligible for a contract extension this season. Veterans Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will become unrestricted free agents in 2024, but Green has a player option for the 2023/24 season. The team will also have to make determinations on free agent role players Gary Payton II and starting center Kevon Looney this summer. Lowe wonders if the team will ultimately decide to pick between Wiggins and Poole soon, or between Wiggins and the starrier veterans Thompson and Green later. The club payroll, including salary and luxury tax penalties, could get as high as $475MM if everyone is retained, Lowe notes.

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Warriors veteran forward Andre Iguodala, who sat during the team’s 107-88 Game 2 victory due to right knee swelling, remains questionable for Game 3 on Wednesday with left knee soreness, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN. The 38-year-old, who was the 2015 Finals MVP for the Warriors, scored seven points and dished out three assists across 12 minutes of action in Game 1.
Prior to the start of his eventful 2021/22 season with the Warriors, reserve guard Gary Payton II contemplated joining the team as a video coordinator, per Malika Andrews of ESPN (Twitter video link). “They were telling me my chances were kind of low of making the team… they had a video coordinating job open, and I was trying to… ask for an interview for that job just to stay around this team,” Payton told Andrews. “They cut me and next step was to go back to the [G League] or stay here and be close to the team… Next thing you know I get a call saying, ‘You’re the 15th man.'” Payton, currently on a one-year, $1.9MM contract with Golden State, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and will certainly not have to worry about a contingency video coordinator gig in the immediate future. The 29-year-old journeyman finally emerged as a full-time rotation player during his second season with Golden State, averaging 17.6 MPG across 71 contests. His modest counting stats of 7.1 PPG, 3.5 APG and 1.4 SPG belie his on-court impact — he has established himself as one of the team’s top wing defenders.
Warriors wing Klay Thompson has scored just 26 points on 10-of-33 shooting from the field across his first two NBA Finals games against the Celtics, with swingman Jaylen Brown serving as his main defender. Anthony Slater of The Athletic wonders how much of Thompson’s shooting woes are the result of the Celtics’ excellent perimeter defense, and how much is merely a product of a shooting slump.

Andre Iguodala To Miss Game 2

June 5th, 2022 at 5:19pm CST by JD Shaw

Warriors forward Andre Iguodala will miss Game 2 of the NBA Finals due to right knee inflammation, according to the team’s official injury report. Iguodala played in Game 1 after missing nearly six weeks, recording seven points and three assists in 12 minutes.

Iguodala previously missed time due to a left cervical disc injury in his neck. He suffered that injury in Game 4 of the team’s first-round series against the Nuggets, so he has only appeared in four playoff games. Iguodala will be listed as day-to-day, head coach Steve Kerr said, as relayed by Marc Spears of ESPN (Twitter link).

Iguodala, 38, averaged 4.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 19.5 minutes per game this season, playing 31 contests. All of those averages are career-lows.

Iguodala signed with the Warriors in free agency after struggling to produce with the Heat last season. He holds 18 years of NBA experience and helped Golden State win championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018. His absence may allow other players (such as Otto Porter, Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga) to receive more time.

Western Notes: Iguodala, Warriors, Thunder, Mathurin

June 5th, 2022 at 4:05pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Speaking to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala revisited the media’s decision to give him the NBA Finals MVP award over teammate Stephen Curry in 2015.

Iguodala won the award by a margin of 7-4 over then-Cavaliers small forward LeBron James. Curry, coming off a 2015 regular-season MVP award victory, did not receive a single vote. The Warriors won the series over Cleveland 4-2, with Iguodala’s two-way play while facing off against James proving a crucial component of Golden State’s win.

“Yeah, I think (the discussion) does a disservice to the game,” Iguodala said. “I’ve never said it was the wrong decision. Yeah, I think (Curry) should have won (at some point). But that’s not to say that you guys made the wrong decision.”

The Warriors won two other titles with Curry and Iguodala, though then-teammate Kevin Durant won Finals MVP in both 2017 and 2018.

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After surrendering a double-digit fourth quarter lead and losing Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals in stunning fashion, the Warriors have their work cut out for them on Sunday. Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today opines that the club will need to improve its three-point defense, its offensive output, and the play of defensive anchor Draymond Green. In Game 1, Green scored just four points on 2-of-12 shooting from the floor, pulled down 11 boards, turned the ball over three times and fouled out.
Several of his former coaches discussed the potential fit of ex-Auburn forward Jabari Smith, expected to be one of the top three candidates in the 2022 draft, with the Thunder, writes Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. The Thunder have the No. 2 pick. The 6’10” power forward was a consensus second-team All-American while in school.
Former Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin is set to work out for the Trail Blazers today, per Aaron J. Fentress of the Oregonian (Twitter link). Mathurin is projected as the eighth pick in the draft, according to the latest ESPN big board. Portland possesses the seventh pick this year.

Warriors Notes: Green, Poole, Iguodala, Payton

June 4th, 2022 at 10:57pm CST by Arthur Hill

Draymond Green believes he needs to “completely raise my play a couple more notches” after a poor shooting night in the Warriors‘ Game 1 loss, writes Mark Medina of NBA.com. Green made just 2-of-12 shots, giving him four points to go with three turnovers and six fouls. He also took the blame for the Celtics’ offensive outburst in the fourth quarter as they posted 40 points while turning a 12-point deficit into a 12-point victory.

Medina notes that Green has a history of bouncing back after bad outings, especially in the playoffs. His teammates expressed total confidence that will happen in Sunday night’s Game 2.

“No other scenario where I see playing out any differently than him coming out with great energy and focus,” Stephen Curry said. “He takes all that stuff personally in terms of his standard and what he knows he can do out there on the floor. When he doesn’t meet that, he’s usually pretty honest and accountable to himself to the team.”

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Golden State’s veterans are rallying around Jordan Poole, who had a disappointing performance in his first NBA Finals game, Medina adds. Poole was just 2-of-7 with four turnovers, and Curry suggested that it may have had something to do with being on such a big stage for the first time. “Maybe slow down just a little bit to see the pictures a little bit better,” he advised. “But he doesn’t have to change anything about the way he plays, the way he attacks or where he feels the most confident in terms of making an impact on the game. You just have to be able to bottle up those emotions.”
Andre Iguodala has been a steadying influence on Poole throughout his breakout season, per Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. Iguodala, who rejoined the Warriors prior to the start of the season, can offer Poole the experience of an 18-year NBA career and seven trips to the Finals.
Gary Payton II told reporters after today’s practice that he’s not feeling any more pain in the left elbow that was fractured during the second-round series with Memphis, Johnson writes in a separate story. Payton sat out the series opener, but said he’ll be ready if coach Steve Kerr decides to use him in Game 2. “I’m available, ready to go, just waiting on the call,” Payton said.

Porter, Iguodala, Payton, Williams Will Suit Up For Game 1

June 2nd, 2022 at 6:43pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Otto Porter Jr., Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton II will all suit up for Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight, Warriors coach Steve Kerr told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps (Twitter link) and other media members.

Reports had indicated that Payton was on track to return for the Finals but that statuses of Porter and Iguodala were more uncertain.

Payton has been sidelined since May 3 after suffering a fractured left elbow in Game 2 of the Warriors’ second-round series against Memphis.

Iguodala hasn’t played since Game 4 of Golden State’s first-round matchup with Denver on April 24 due to a left cervical disc injury in his neck. Porter has been nursing a sore left foot since Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. All three players were listed as questionable after going through contact at practice on Wednesday.

The Celtics will have starting center Robert Williams in the lineup, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe tweets. Also listed as questionable, Williams played only 15 minutes in Boston’s Game 7 win over Miami. He missed Game 3 of the series due to soreness in his surgically-repaired knee.

Warriors’ Gary Payton II “On Track” For Game 1 Return

June 2nd, 2022 at 10:37am CST by Rory Maher

Warriors defensive ace Gary Payton II is “on track” to return to action for Game 1 of the Finals against Boston on Thursday night, sources tell Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Slater cautions (via Twitter) that Payton might not return to the rotation immediately, but his availability gives coach Steve Kerr another option to utilize going forward. Slater adds that “there’s optimism” Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. will be available for Game 1 as well.

Payton has been sidelined since May 3 after suffering a fractured left elbow in Game 2 of the Warriors’ second-round series against Memphis. Reports surfaced that he’d miss approximately three-to-five weeks at the time, and last Friday Charania and Slater said Payton was expected to be available for the Finals, possibly as soon as Game 1.

Iguodala, the 2014/15 Finals MVP, has been out even longer, last playing in Game 4 of Golden State’s first-round matchup with Denver on April 24 due to a left cervical disc injury (neck). The 38-year-old veteran was limited to 31 regular season games this season while dealing with a variety of ailments.

Porter’s left foot soreness is more recent, popping up during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against Dallas on May 22. All three players were listed as questionable after going through contact at practice yesterday.

The Warriors’ depth has shone throughout the playoffs, with all 14 players (minus injured center James Wiseman) receiving minutes this postseason, so potentially having a (nearly) full complement of players will be huge boon as Golden State attempts to win its fourth title in the past eight years.