The Timberwolves are still reportedly showing interest in two-time champ and 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.
Three weeks after rumored interest between Iggy and Minnesota was initially reported, and less than one week after the draft night trade for Jimmy Butler, Tom Thibodeau and company reportedly still have the the veteran on their radar to help bolster a depleted bench.
According to a Tuesday article by ESPN Staff writer Chris Haynes, in addition to the Timberwolves, the Spurs, Clippers, 76ers, Magic, Nets, and Jazz are all interested in the 33-year-old. Iguodala is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
“If [the Timberwolves] are able to procure Iguodala,” writes Haynes, “head coach Tom Thibodeau would have a roster equipped for a deep playoff run.”
Why it makes sense for the Wolves
Minnesota desperately needs help building up a formidable NBA-caliber bench. It’s extremely thin right now – Nemanja Bjelica, Cole Aldrich and Tyus Jones are the only non-starters under contract with Minnesota for 2017 and beyond.
It could certainly be argued that the most valuable aspect of Iguodala’s game is the way he can help a team’s bench. He was successfully used as a sixth-man on Steve Kerr’s roster – Iguodala started a grand total of one game for the Warriors in the past three seasons.
He averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game while coming off the bench last year for them.
And since arriving to Golden State in 2013, his niche has been the defensive end of the floor. He never eclipsed a double-digit points-per-game average in any of his four seasons with the team, but Iguodala was named NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2014.
And the Timberwolves could use all the help they can get on defense, considering they ranked 27th in defensive efficiency last season.
