The Warriors believe the acquisition of F Andre Iguodala puts the team on "new footing, going from a stopping point for middling free agents to a desirable destination among the NBA's most prized players," according to Antonio Gonzalez of the AP. The team for "most of the last two decades" has been one that the "most sought-after free agents have avoided." But Iguodala's interest in joining the Warriors -- he was introduced by the team Thursday after agreeing to a four-year, $48M deal as part of a sign-and-trade -- and the "process of bringing Iguodala to Golden State showed the commitment from both sides." The Warriors entered free agency "with little wiggle room" financially, and it was "almost laughable" that they would be able to sign a marquee player. Warriors GM Bob Myers "never thought the Warriors could make a deal happen" after Iguodala's representation first talked to the team (AP, 7/11). In San Jose, Tim Kawakami writes it has been "no secret" that Warriors co-Owner Joe Lacob's goal since he and Peter Guber bought the team in '10 has been to turn the Warriors "into a shining Northern California version of the glitzy Lakers." While the Warriors are "many championships short of their in-state rivals, this free-agent period was evidence that they are now a destination spot for NBA stars." Lacob said, "I feel it's a relentless kind of approach. I do believe you can improve your team if you really work at it and you are ballsy, if you take a few chances. ... The way we feel about our team now, we're on schedule or maybe ahead of schedule." Kawakami notes this is a "brand-new place for the Warriors." He writes, "Everything is possible, nothing is unreachable, and if things bog down, Lacob and Myers will just go back to work and try to remodel the franchise again" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/12).
MYERS' ACTIONS DRAW PRAISE: In Oakland, Monte Poole writes no one in the "resurrected organization has been more effective in such a brief period" than Myers. In just 14 months since becoming GM, he has "cooled what customarily was among the hottest seats" in Bay Area sports. There is "no question the Warriors front office operates as a team, with Lacob's boundless drive setting the tone," but Myers "clearly is more than a cog in the wheel." Poole: "Like Lacob, Myers is getting things done at a pace previously unknown to the organization" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/12).
