Only a few weeks left, and the NBA trade dealings will come to an end, but the Memphis Grizzlies have yet to find a team willing to give the assets they want for Andre Iguodala. At the same time, the Los Angeles Lakers patiently wait for Iguodala to become available through terms they can actually afford.
As February 6 nears, it remains unknown what will happen to Iguodala. The only thing sure is he wants out of Memphis and, if possible, play for a team in contention, preferably for the Clippers or for the Lakers.
According to Heavy, several teams have set their eyes on Iggy, but the Grizzlies have already made clear that terms of trade for the former Warriors will not be very flexible. Interested teams are hoping for a buyout that would make the Iguodala acquisition easier, but that is not on the plan as far as Memphis is concerned.
To get Iggy, the acquiring team must offer a first-round pick, and there is no indication Memphis will be backing down on this demand. It was clear, the Grizzlies are unwilling to give up the 35-year-old sixth man without collecting something big in return.
"They haven't budged. Maybe they will as the date gets closer, but they've made clear, they're not interested in a buyout with Andre, and they're looking for a first-rounder," the same report quoted an unnamed NBA executive as saying.
But it is expected that the Lakers, despite lacking in assets that will interest Memphis, will move heaven and earth to land a deal on Iguodala and understandably so. That's because the L.A. club is well aware of the benefits that Iguodala will bring with him, said a report from Fansided.
"If he was able to sign with the Lakers, Iguodala would make an immediate impact," the report said.
One player on the Lakers side who knows this for a fact is LeBron James. When the James-led Cavaliers clashed with the Warriors in 2015, it was Iguodala's defense that made life difficult for him. The Dubs won the series, and Iguodala was named Finals MVP.
Iggy did an incredible job that year, and James knew it. The latter is also aware that if Iguodala is on his side in case the Lakers reach the 2020 Finals, the team has a higher chance of winning.
Per the same report, Iguodala wearing the Lakers jersey will relieve James of defense duties. And that should translate to a more focused work on the scoring department for James, which should serve as a warning to opponents that the Lakers mean to win the championship.
