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Iguodala confident Warriors will 'have our core back' next year

Noah Graham / National Basketball Association / Getty

Win or lose Monday, Andre Iguodala is prepared to run it back.

The Golden State Warriors need a road win against the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of The Finals in order to keep their season alive, while a loss could have drastic implications for the team's future. Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and DeMarcus Cousins are impending free agents, while Iguodala, now 35, is coming off arguably the worst statistical season of his 15-year career.

But while some critics are predicting the end of Golden State's dynasty, Iguodala has some bad news for them.

"I don't think we look it at it that way at all, especially for myself," he told reporters Sunday. "A lot of people have spoken to me each and every day, especially the folks that cover us, and I'll be here next year for sure.

"I'm pretty confident that we'll have our core back and we'll try to make another run at it, but our key right now is to focus on tomorrow's game and keep our season going."

Iguodala didn't specify who forms Golden State's core. He is, however, one of the four longest-tenured Warriors on the current roster, along with Thompson, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry. Although there's a debate about whether Durant is part of the team's core, he's arguably been the Warriors' best player during his three seasons with the club.

Regardless, Golden State may need Durant on Monday in order to stave off elimination. The high-scoring forward is averaging 34.2 points this postseason but hasn't played since suffering a calf strain May 8. He's currently listed as questionable for Game 5.

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