By Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly staff 
The Sixers have taken a major step forward with the acquisition of the first overall pick, and in turn, Markelle Fultz. Boasting a core of Fultz, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Dario Saric, the Sixers appear to have an extremely bright future ahead of them, but the largest criticism that this team will receive this season is that they are too young to be contenders.
That is why they should look to a familiar face to help bridge the gap. According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Andre Iguodala is intending to make himself available this offseason when he enters unrestricted free agency:
Sources: Andre Iguodala – core part of Warriors titles – plans to seriously consider free-agent overtures elsewhere. https://t.co/tRgXYtw2Mq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 19, 2017
Drafted ninth overall by the Sixers in 2004, Iguodala has played in three consecutive NBA Finals, and won two of them since leaving Philadelphia in 2012. Iguodala was named the Finals' MVP in 2015 when he won his first ring. Iguodala has made the NBA all-defensive team twice and was an All-Star in his final season with the Sixers.
Andre Iguodala has built an impressive resume despite fans never being sold on him during his time in Philadelphia. Now he is an undeniable commodity in the NBA.
For a team like the Sixers, who have a ton of inexperienced players, Iguodala makes a ton of sense. One of the toughest things for young players to do in the NBA is learn how to win.
Players that fill box scores do not translate to wins. Anthony Davis has not won in New Orleans despite being arguably a top-five player in the league. Kevin Love posted Moses Malone-esque numbers in Minnesota but never won a meaningful game until he went to Cleveland with LeBron James, a player who knew how to win.
Andre Iguodala would return to Philadelphia and be able to teach the young core how to win from day one. Charania reports that "prospective teams would need to show in meetings a vision to move toward contention to pry Iguodala from Golden State." He anticipates that negotiations for Iguodala could reach $20 million annually.
The Sixers would fit that bill, as they are expected to reach their ceiling rather quickly through their core of young talent. Iguodala has even noticed the Sixers' desire to be contenders. Iguodala said during the NBA Finals this year that winning a championship is about a mindset and that he believes the Sixers are a team that have that mentality. "I'm sure Joel Embiid is like, 'We're going to win a championship," said Iguodala. It appears that Iggy still has eyes on the Sixers even now that he plays in California.
With Iguodala still able to play at a high level, and his familiarity with the city of Philadelphia, he is the perfect player to mentor this young team and help them reach their potential.
Would you like to see Andre Iguodala return to the #Sixers?#SixersTalk #MadeInPHILA
— Jesse James Larch (@JesseLarch) June 19, 2017
