The Denver Nuggets acquired All-Star swingman Andre Iguodola from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers. Iguodola says he doesn't want Denver to be another stopover, and that he's looking for a permanent stay.
"We weren't coming into this thinking this will be a one-year deal," Iguodala said. "... This is definitely a place that I can see myself for more than just a year or two."
Iguodala is under contract for this season with a player option for 2013-14. At his introductory news conference at the Pepsi Center on Thursday, he said he told Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri he wants to be here a while.
Ujiri said he'll work on an extension this upcoming season for the defensive-minded star who helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the London Olympics.
Already considered one of the fastest, most athletic teams in the NBA, the Nuggets managed to get even faster and more athletic by trading shooting guard Arron Afflalo and forward Al Harrington for Iguodala.
With a promising young core of Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried and JaVale McGee in place, and with former teammate Andre Miller on the roster, the Olympic gold medalist is very optimistic about Denver's future.
It also should be a good fit. Nuggets coach George Karl loves to run; Iguodala loves to run. Denver loves to create offense with its defense; Iguodala is a lockdown defender who can create turnovers.
When Iguodala spoke with Karl by phone, the coach "didn't sugarcoat anything," telling the All-Star he needed to get to the line more and knock down his free throws, Iguodala said.
"Iggy" is Karl's kind of guy: versatile, tough. He plays lockdown defense and darts upcourt in transition with equal enthusiasm.
"You just run fast, it's pretty simple," Iguodala said. "Especially with the two point guards we have in Ty (Lawson) and Andre Miller. The pass ahead is really what gets it going."
