The Memphis Grizzlies continue to wait on offers for Andre Iguodala, confident that a pitch will come soon. However, time is running out with the NBA trade deadline set for Feb. 6. Should there be no takers by that time, it is believed that the Grizzlies will have no recourse but to buy out the three-time NBA champion.
There are several teams believed to be waiting for that to happen. The list includes the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Houston Rockets are also believed to be monitoring the same situation. The common thing in the three teams is that they are prepping for the tougher battles in the postseason.
If bought out, Iguodala's stint for the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season will be a short-term lease. Once summer comes, the 35-year-old can join any other team he deems fit. And despite being traded off, it appears the 2015 NBA Finals MVP will be returning to Dub City - the same team where he helped win three NBA titles.
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, there is a mutual interest in a reunion between Iguodala and the Warriors. Further, the NBA All-Star still resides in the Bay Area, further making the whole thing sensible. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr admitted it was tough to let Iggy go last summer. However, reuniting with his prized 3-and-D player could happen one year after.
With those plans for next summer a possibility, all Iguodala wants to know right now is if will ever play a game this season. The Lakers could be a sensible destination but the purple and gold may not have the assets to pull it off.
Looking beyond the Lakers, it appears that Iguodala will remain in the Western Conference. This is the belief of league executives and the reason behind that is that he can guard LeBron James, Heavy.com reported.
"I can't see a team in the East moving for him. He has the experience guarding LeBron and that's what you want out of him. That and you want to keep him off the Lakers, you want their bench to be a weak spot. He doesn't have those same kinds of good matchups in the East," said an unnamed league executive back in November.
There are several NBA teams in need of a 3-and-D player heading into the playoffs. Iguodala may not be saying it but joining a contender would be a perfect stopover. After that, he could choose to cap his season by heading home to Dub City.
