Jul 28, 2008 - 6:05 PM
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Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but ESPN.com reported Sunday that Biedrins agreed to a six-year extension worth nearly $63 million.
Many of the NBA's more undervalued free agents, including former Atlanta forward Josh Childress, have been lured away by European teams that have plenty of cash to throw around.
Childress signed with the Greek team Olympiakos earlier this month, and guard Sasha Vujacic drew interest from overseas before re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
A native of Latvia, Biedrins also was being heavily pursued by a pair of Russian teams before deciding to remain in the Bay Area. According to ESPN, the deal includes a player option for Biedrins to return to the free-agent market in the summer of 2013.
"I'm really excited to remain with the Warriors and continue my NBA career in the Bay Area," Biedrins said. "The organization and fans have been terrific to me over the last four years, and I'm looking forward to building on some of the success that we've had in the last couple of years."
Biedrins, 22, averaged a career-best 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in 76 games last season, while leading the NBA in field-goal percentage (.614).
The re-signing of Biedrins is the latest in a flurry of moves by the Warriors, who re-signed guard Monta Ellis to a six-year, $67 million deal on Thursday. Golden State also signed free agent swingman Corey Maggette to a five-year, $50 million contract.
"We're extremely happy to have Andris under contract for many years to come," Warriors vice president Chris Mullin said. "He is clearly one of the top young centers in the NBA and, much like the young player we signed a few days ago (Monta Ellis), he has continued to improve every season.
"It's not easy to find quality young big men in this league, but we certainly think we have one of them and he's only 22 years old."
