NBA Rumors: Andre Iguodala to sign with Denver Nuggets long term?
Most of the media and news has been aimed at the Los Angeles Lakers since acquiring Dwight Howard last week, a move that could put the team in contention for another championship. However, a key part of that deal was Andre Iguodala moving to the Denver Nuggets, a deal that could thrust the team into the upper echelon of the Western Conference.
Iguodala was introduced to Denver in a press conference Thursday, and both sides spoke about giving the all-star wing a long-term extension when his contract is up after the 2012-13 season (Iguodala has a player option the following year).
“We aren’t coming in to this thinking this is just a one year deal, we are looking to the future and definitely looking ahead to see how we can go forward so this isn’t a quick stop for me,” Iguodala said. “Knowing that this is a great organization, I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from a lot of different guys… this would be a great place for me to have some great years ahead of me and possibly ending my career here.”
Iguodala was far less hyped than the introductions of Howard and Andrew Bynum, but could make just as big of an impact. The 2012 Team USA member joins a freakishly athletic Denver lineup, including Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee. The Nuggets finished 38-28 in the lockout shortened 2011-12 season, falling to the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
Iguodala averaged 12.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers last year, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Boston Celtics. The new addition will not only provide a defensive stopgap but help push the ball in the transition offense as well.
After the addition of Iguodala, the Nuggets are a sleeper contender to come out of the West. With an extremely talented and youthful core , the future is definitely bright in Denver.
