FanPost

The case for trading Andre Iguodala

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Greetings all, long time lurker here. To me the relationship between the W's and AI is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Maybe we shouldn't talk about it.

Let me start by listing what has been AWESOME about Andre:

1. He chose the Warriors, left some money on the table and trusted that they would make room by trading Biedrins to make it all work. I remember when Dwight Howard and Andre were both free agents, and I was hoping that the Warriors would land Iguodala. His coming to the W's on the heels of DLee coming to the W's was critical in reshaping the W's in the minds of free agents that they were a legitimate destination for players serious about winning.

2. Year two of his contract, Kerr's first year, AI agreed to go to the bench so Barnes could start. This selflessness by the arguably most acclaimed member of the team (at that time), paved the way for the Warriors to win their first championship. After that example, DLee followed suit upon returning to health, ceding the 4 to Draymond and staying positive. That example of selflessness has been repeated ever since: veterans have sat for match ups, Steph subsumed his game to make room for KD, KD did the same to help get Steph going again, Zaza didn't complain when he went to the bench for match ups, ditto JaVale. This culture of selfless winning can be traced straight to Andre's initial example.

3. Along with Mark Jackson, Andre Bogut and Draymond Green, he made defense cool. Everyone has bought in. Now, when you think of the Warriors, you think of Defense.

4. Also, basketball IQ and ball movement, he has been the needed mentor that calms the team down. Super valuable as the grizzled vet mentoring the youn guns.

5. Was a critical factor in the recruitment of KD.

6. Has willingly mentored Patrick McCaw, Jordan Bell, and other core players.

7. Let's not forget going playing the series of his life vs peak LeBron to win finals MVP for the W's first title.

Admittedly, that is a long list of awesome.

But life happens. We all get older, sometimes change is necessary for progress, (and I might be wrong here). The Bills (Walsh and Belicheck) always say it is better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late.

1. His health is clearly on the decline, coasting through the regular season worked for Andre and the Warriors last year, but will it again? In my opinion, the biggest challenge for the W's last year wasn't the Rockets or Cleveland, it was the malaise that seemed to set in from the start of the season. The problem with pacing yourself is that it can be hard to summon intensity, while we saw the team summon intensity on the defensive end in the playoffs, the overall tight execution of the game plan seemed off last year. Talent can overcome a lot, and it did last year, but it seems like we are playing with fire.

2. As the coach, Kerr might be preaching "we need to tighten up on these things" and I suspect that the players are blowing the message off. If you are old, you just CAN'T practice that hard. The knees won't allow it. So even if Andre doesn't make mental mistakes, the lack of practice intensity is partly to blame for the mental mistakes of others on the team.

3. His contract is turning into a massive liability: $16 million salary plus luxury tax expenses is a lot.

4. Aside from his health, with age comes a decline in athleticism, which is the base of his game. His shot has gotten worse, with enough data to think its not just a blip, but a downward, end of career trend.

5. The Warriors have evolved to a point that they can win without him, LeBron is older, and the team can throw Durant, Green, Livingston, Jordan Bell and even Klay at him for short stretches. The core of the team has more than 80 games of playoff experience, and is capable of growing into the leadership role that Andre has provided.

6. He has legitimate trade value right now, across the league. Lots of teams could use him for what he still does best. Mentally tough, high BBall IQ, great defense and transition game. Imagine how he could stabilize a roster in the East like Philly, Indiana, Toronto or in the west like Portland or the Lakers. I'm not talking about a team with no chance at the playoffs.

It would be hard to trade him, from the perspective of how would it feel to the Warriors roster, but, as he made all to clear in last years negotiations, business is business. When Andre pushed for the third year at the higher yearly level, it felt from reading that there was a conversation about an exit strategy, either a trade or a stretch. The contract worked, never argue with a Championship, but at this point does it help or hurt the chances for THIS year and next year to stay the same? The time to trade a potentially bad contract is before it is perceived by the league to be one.

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to save the team money here, the team is doing fine, but we have seen how limited they are getting new talent. Other teams won't sell 2nd rounders to the Warriors. So they need to consider using his salary for the right type of guy.

So with all that said, these are some trades I'd consider:

1. Some kind of three way with a team in the East and Atlanta, Warriors get Kent Bazemore(healthy, great defense, would be happy to come off the bench for the Warriors)

2. Something with Philly for Robert Covington (younger 3 and D type, similar salary, easy to trade in the future)

3. Toronto? A team that could use his special sauce to get over the top? I don't see an obvious salary match, maybe with Atlanta involved.

4. Washington?

5. The Lakers? How about Luol Deng and a 1st rounder for Andre. Deng is way healthier, also great defense on the wing and a better shooter.

I'm sure there are holes in my theory, but the main ideas are trade a little early rather than a little late. Has to be to a good situation for Andre, and gives the Warriors a chance to get younger and use his salary to pick up a viable player, (and trading piece) into the future.

When it's all done, of course he gets his jersey retired, and is offered a job in the front office, he will always be a Warrior, but, business is business. We've won three championships with Andre, and I think this move sets the team up to win three more.

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!