Oakland, CA

The Golden State Warriors redirected efforts to sign ex-Lakers center Dwight Howard by nabbing guard/forward Andre Iguodala, resulting in a verbal agreement for a four-year, $48 million deal.

Iguodala, 29, averaged 13 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.7 steals last season.

The Warriors have been looking to clear salary cap to get Howard and reportedly seeking to unload Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins and Andrew Bogut.

As it became apparent Friday that Howard will sign with the Houston Rockets, the Warriors found a partner in the Utah Jazz who will get a first-round pick in the 2014 draft and the Warriors' first-rounder in 2017 for the expiring contracts of Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins and Brandon Rush.

The Warriors will receive guard Kevin Murphy from the Jazz and will use its salary cap space for Iguodala.

The Nuggets were hoping to entice Iguodala to come back with a five-year deal worth $60 million with $52 million guaranteed. The most he could get elsewhere was four years.

The Sacramento Kings also sought Iguodala's services but pulled an offer of at least $52 million in four years when the latter didn't immediately agree in part to avoid being used as leverage.

 

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