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Heat's Andre Iguodala Reveals When He Plans to Retire from NBA
August 11, 2020
When Andre Iguodala signed his two-year contract extension with the Miami Heat, he did so planning on it being his last NBA contract.
"I have about a year or two left," Iguodala told USA Today's Mark Medina. "I'm serious this time. I got two left."
Iguodala inked a two-year, $30 million deal with the Heat after being traded by the Memphis Grizzlies. The deal carries a team option for 2021-22, so Iguodala may be indicating his retirement will be contingent on whether Miami picks up that $15 million.
Iguodala, 36, hasn't been lighting the world on fire with the Heat, averaging 4.8 points. 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He is also shooting 45.2 percent from the floor, his worst mark since 2012-13, and 31.1 percent from three, his second-worst percentage over the last decade.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra says it's best to look beyond counting stats to assess Iguodala's impact.
"You can't put an analytic to his game with how many different ways he can impact your team in regards to winning," Spoelstra said. "You have to have him in your locker room and see him out on the floor to truly understand. Every coach in this league recognizes he is a winner because he does so many winning things."
Miami is 3-3 since arriving in the Orlando bubble and is currently the No. 4 seed in the East.
The Heat had to know they couldn't necessarily count on Iguodala to bring Finals MVP-level brilliance every night. Miami is rolling the dice that his playoff acumen comes through when the team needs it most and makes the hefty financial price worth it.