Andre Iguodala Retires After 19 NBA Seasons

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Golden State Warriors v Minnesota Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 16: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on January 16, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 119-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The free agent said it was the "perfect time" to leave the league.

Andre Iguodala has officially retired from the NBA after 19 seasons. “Time started to get limited for me and I didn’t want to put anything in the back seat. I didn’t want to have to try to delegate time anymore. Especially with on the court, off the court with family. A lot. You want to play at a high level. But then family is a lot. My son is 16 and then two girls. So, [I’m] looking forward to seeing them grow up in those important years," Iguodala told Marc J. Spears of Andscape.

Iguodala was drafted 9th overall by the Sixers in 2004 following two seasons of college ball at Arizona. He stayed in Philly until 2012 before being traded to the Nuggets. However, Iguodala's most successful tenure would come in a six-year tenure with the Warriors. After signing with Golden State in 2013, Iguodala became a core member of the team's late 2010s dynasty. He won four rings alongside Draymond Green and the Splash Brothers. He was a free agent at the time of his retirement, having been released by the Warriors after a second stint with the team between 2021 and 2023.

Read More: Andre Iguodala Claims Jordan Poole Was Lowkey Disrespected By The Warriors

Iguodala's Retirement Confirms LeBron As League's Oldest Active Player

With Iguodala officially out of the league, LeBron James stands as the league's oldest active player. James will turn 39 a few months into his 21st NBA season. That makes him just the seventh player to reach his 21st season. LeBron being LeBron, he had the perfect reaction when told the news earlier this month. After being asked for his reaction to being the oldest player in the league at a Lakers practice, LeBron briefly screamed before sprinting down the court and smoothly dunking.

Furthermore, James isn't treating this like his final year. He will most likely join Vince Carter as the only players to play 22 seasons thanks to his desire to play at least one season with his son Bronny. With Bronny eligible for the 2024 draft, LeBron will likely hit that historic milestone. However, the question will be if it happens with the Lakers or elsewhere in the NBA.

Read More: LeBron James Shares Relieving News About Bronny’s Chances To Play For USC

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About The Author
Ben Mock
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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