Three NBA veterans will be heading to Season 2019-20 possibly garbed in new uniforms following the trade moves by their respective teams. Andre Iguodala was sent by the Warriors to Memphis, but he is not expected to stay long. The same goes for Chris Paul, who might be transitioning from Oklahoma to another city. Then there is J.R. Smith.
The latter, according to Bleacher Report, now enjoys some form of flexibility after the Cleveland Cavaliers waived him off this week. He was rumored to be suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers, which makes sense as LeBron James is there and the two go way back winning an NBA title for the Cavs.
But the Lakers lineup has already reached its veterans quota, so Smith wearing the Purple & Gold next season seems unlikely to happen now. Most likely, an NBA team will still acquire the service of Smith; he remains a formidable presence in court. His production averages in double-figures, and he remains a deadly sniper from the arc - qualities that will surely catch the attention of scouts.
However, it is imperative that Smith will have to face reality, which is he must accept a pay cut to secure a spot in the league, the same report said.
And pay consideration is a dominant theme too for Iguodala's free agency journey. The NBA champ is with the Grizzlies now, but the club has made clear it is entertaining trade offers. On this, two teams are on top of the list, namely the Houston Rockets and the L.A. Clippers, according to Sports Illustrated.
However, Iguodala playing for the Rockets next appears to be a fast-dwindling reality. It is Houston that has an issue, specifically on the price tag that comes with landing Iguodala. The team will need to shell out $17 million for the right to acquire the service of one the best sixth-man that the NBA has ever produced.
Houston can do that, but it would mean going deep into their luxury tax. Reports said the Rockets are likely to walk away on an Iguodala deal with the Grizzlies given the hard decision they need to make.
As for the Clippers and as things stand now for the team, it looks like they lack the bargaining chips even to start talking about having Iguodala on board. In the end, Iguodala might still be donning the Grizzlies jersey going into the NBA's upcoming season.
Paul too is inching closer to the same fate - suiting up for the team that received him coming from Houston. At 34 and with clear signs of dipping game, Paul is hard to market and more so with a $124 million price tag over the next three years.
The New York Post said Oklahoma held talks with the Miami Heat for the latter to possibly get Paul into their roster. It might not happen anymore, according to the same report, and the likelihood is Paul will start another NBA season as a Thunder.
