As the season approaches, NBA teams are looking to make last minute additions to their rosters. One of the most coveted players available is veteran wing Andre Iguodala.
After being a key part of the Golden State Warriors’ three title-runs, ‘Iggy’ was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies to clear cap space. The team signed D’Angelo Russell, and retained Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on big contracts.
Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP, is a great player on both sides of the ball, earning two All-Defensive Team selections and one All-Star selection in his career.
While his minutes and scoring numbers have dipped in recent years, Iguodala still remains a valuable piece for a team looking to contend for a title.
At a $17 million contract with one year remaining, the Grizzlies will look to get as much value as possible for 15-year veteran. In the event that he is not bought out, here are three contenders that could make a trade and bring Andre Iguodala onto their squad.
The Clippers should be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA next season. While they ranked 19th defensively last season, the team added arguably the best two-way players in the league in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. They could go after Iguodala to give them a two-way wing off the bench.
L.A. could offer guard Landry Shamet along with Mo Harkless in return. Shamet could play shooting guard alongside incoming rookie and second overall pick Ja Morant, potentially making for a good future backcourt.
The Clippers would have to find some minimum contracts to round out their bench, but adding Iguodala would put them in a better position come playoff time.
Iguodala was dealt to the Nuggets from the Sixers before the 2012-2013 season, playing only one year. He went on to average 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. Would a return to Denver make sense for Iguodala?
Andre Iguodala with the Nuggets. Photo credited to USA Today.
The Nuggets are a young, homegrown team that could benefit from a veteran. They also have a good amount of depth to make a deal happen.
The Grizzlies could receive Will Barton and Jarred Vanderbilt in exchange for Iguodala. Barton averaged 11.5 points and nearly five rebounds last season and would be a good shooting guard option next to Morant.
The Nuggets have several shooting guards and forwards to make up for Barton, and Iguodala would give the 10th best defensive team a boost off the bench.
Like Denver, Portland is another team that could be a piece away from serious contention. Adding Iguodala could be a difference-maker when matching up with wings in the postseason.
Off the bench, Iggy would provide veteran leadership and defense to a mostly-young team led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. He could be what the Blazers were missing last year, where they lost in the Conference Finals at the hands of Iguodala’s Warriors.
The Grizzlies could trade Iguodala and get back recently-acquired Kent Bazemore and a rookie contract like Anfernee Simons. 2019 first-round pick Nassir Little would be more appealing for Memphis, but Portland might be hesitant to include him in a trade for possibly a one-year rental.
Featured image credited to Getty Images.
Stats credited to basketball-reference.com.
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