Andre Iguodala was disappointed by the Golden State Warriors' opening contract offer in free agency of $36 million over three years with a partial guarantee in the final year.
Rival teams believed Iguodala wanted a three-year deal close to $50 million that was fully guaranteed.
Iguodala felt as though he had already sacrificed financially when he signed with the Warriors on a four-year, $48 million deal and then accepted a lesser role when Steve Kerr became coach.
Bob Myers increased the Warriors' offer to $42 million over three years with a partial guarantee in the third year.
Iguodala ceased communication with the Warriors at that point.
When free agency began, Iguodala took a conference call with the Los Angeles Lakers and then met in person with representatives from the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio offered Iguodala a four-year deal that was fully guaranteed starting at the $8.4 million non-taxpayer midlevel.
The Sacramento Kings were the final team to meet with Iguodala on the opening night of free agency. They were committed to giving him the highest offer on the market but only if he accepted it on the spot.
The Houston Rockets' meeting lasted almost two hours and was termed as "the best recruiting presentation of all time," according to a source within Iguodala's camp. The Rockets offered a four-year, $32 million deal via their mid-level exception, but Daryl Morey also talked about various sign-and-trade scenarios that would be more lucrative. After the meeting, there was a strong sense Iguodala would end up with the Rockets.
Iguodala reopened communication with the Warriors later on July 1st and met in-person with Myers and Kerr. The objective from Iguodala's perspective was to personally say goodbye, according to sources. Iguodala wasn't budging from his request of at least $16 million per season and he was prepared to join the Rockets.
After the meeting, Iguodala's rep called Myers one last time to see if they could get a deal done. Myers then called Joe Lacob who approved a three-year, $48 million deal.
