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Andre Iguodala is in an unfamiliar position.
After making the NBA Finals for six consecutive seasons, the former Arizona star will watch the remainder of the postseason from home.
The Miami Heat were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, putting an end to Iguodala’s remarkable Finals run.
The 37-year-old Iguodala showed his age in the series, scoring just 15 points across four games. On the season, he averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists, all of which were career lows.
Iguodala, the last Lute Olson-coached player still in the NBA, is undoubtedly nearing the end of his long basketball career. But how near is near?
He admitted last August that he has “about a year or two left” before retirement, which would put him on track for one more season in the league.
It’s evident Iguodala still has value as a durable, defensive-minded veteran. He played in 63 of Miami’s 72 regular season games this season, averaging more minutes (21.3) than 2019-20 (19.9).
Iguodala is fiercely competitive. Even by NBA standards, he’s a guy who loves to win. His Finals experience is only rivaled by LeBron James among active players.
He is widely respected as one the league’s sharpest minds. His knowledge of basketball and life makes him an easy fit in any locker room.
Whether Iguodala finishes his career in Miami or somewhere else is still up in the air.
In February 2020, the Heat signed him to a 2-year, $30m extension as part of a trade with Memphis. He is entering the last year of that deal on a team option. If the Heat decline the remaining year (and $15m) of his contract, he could fall into free agency … or decide to hang it up.
When Iguodala does step away from the game of basketball, he’ll have no shortage of hobbies and interests to fall back on. Whether as an author, golfer or backer of tech startups, he is passionate (and successful) at whatever he puts his mind to.