The Golden State Warriors have decided that Andre Iguodala (48
million dollars over 4 years) is worth the assets it has to give up to dump the
contracts of Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson and Brandon Rush on the Utah
Jazz, namely two first round picks, including one in the coveted 2014 draft.
However, the Warriors are likely as far from contention as they are from the
lottery, and that is not a point where the team should be trading the future for
the present.
The Warriors are in an interesting position. They were the
sixth seed in the West last season, and based on talent, they are likely at the
same spot coming into the season with Iguodala, with the Rockets replacing the
Nuggets in the top five. I love the Iguodala contract on its own. I would not
even mind if my Kings signed him for five million dollars more than this
contract. The problem is what the Warriors give up to create that cap space. As
mentioned, the 2014 draft is hyped to be one of the best in recent history. (though
I believe the hype of every draft dies down as we inch closer to the draft, the
2012 draft, for example) The Warriors are not in position to contend for a
title this year even with this addition, so why would they give up two
first-round picks to dump contracts that will expire after this season?
Furthermore, the Warriors can just as easily slip out of the playoff picture in
the loaded Western Conference if some untimely injuries are to hit Stephen
Curry and Andrew Bogut. Given their history of health, that would not even be a
big surprise. In that case, the Warriors would give up a lottery pick to the
Jazz for taking on three expiring contracts. I love Iguodala, but the Warriors
should have waited one more season for these contracts to expire. They would
have room for a max player, and the prospect of playing with Curry, Thompson
and Barnes can swing those decisions in their favor. The Warriors committed too
early, at a point where they are not ready to compete.
From the Jazz perspective, this is exactly the kind of moves
bad teams should make to reach the minimum salaries they have to spend. Instead
of signing free agents to long-term deals that can only improve the team
marginally and may handcuff the team’s salary cap in the future, the Jazz
received three expiring contracts with two first-round picks. Furthermore, none
of these players will command a large amount of playing time like a big-name
free agent will, allowing the Jazz to play Burke, Burks, Hayward, Favors and
Kanter as much as possible for their development. Such a young team also has
the added benefit of likely being very bad prior to a presumably loaded draft.
This way of rebuilding clearly seems superior to the Bobcats signing Al
Jefferson for three years.
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