I estimated that Andre Iguodala’s value was $12-$13 million per season. Sources are saying that the Philadelphia 76ers locked Iggy up to a deal worth $13.3 million per season.
The athletic and exciting 6-6 forward/guard has improved his scoring average in each of his first four seasons, and promises to be a mainstay on a Sixers team that recently signed former Clipper big man Elton Brand to an estimated $82 million free agent contract.
If the Sixers had not been able to sign Iguodala, the 24-year-old could have played this season for them after signing a qualifying offer, which would have made him an unrestricted free agent next summer. In that scenario, the Sixers could have lost their most exciting young star without any compensation.
Iguodala and the team had an opportunity to work out a contract extension last summer but could not come to an agreement. Talks this offseason moved slowly until the last 24 hours, when, sources say, the team significantly increased their offer.
Maybe the Sixers saw my estimate and decided to up their offer. A guy can dream, can’t he?
Good signing for the Sixers. Iggy is a talented player, but he’s probably a better fit as a sidekick than being “The Man.” Now that Elton Brand is in Philly to be “The Man,” Iguodala should thrive alongside him.
Last year at this time, who would have thought that the Sixers would be coming off a solid playoff performance and a ballsy signing like the Brand acquisition? Very nice job thus far by new GM Ed Stefanski.
