The NBA trade deadline is done and over with, and the backlash for some players and teams is expected to kick in. Andre Iguodala, perhaps one of the biggest names multiple teams were targeting, ended up with the Miami Heat after a long holdout with the Memphis Grizzlies. But according to the 36-year-old player, there seems to be some missing information concerning his temporary stop in Memphis.
It hardly comes as a surprise that several players over in Memphis got a bit sore at Iguodala. After acquiring him in a trade with the Golden State Warriors, the three-time NBA champion never logged a single minute with the Grizzlies. The word out at the time was both he and management agreed it would be best for the NBA veteran to sit out and see what Memphis could get in return for a trade. But in the eyes of players like Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks, at least playing while waiting for his next stop would have been better, NBC Sports reported.
Speaking to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Iguodala tried to clear the air a bit. He said that he never told the Grizzlies that he would not play for them, never telling anyone that he would not show up or saying that Memphis was a place he did not want to be.
While that sets some things straight, there are several things to consider. But the most important of them all was whether Iguodala was 100% committed to playing and helping the team for the 2019-20 NBA season?
Right now, those are the questions up in the air. But since the 2015 NBA Finals MVP has already moved on, debating on what went down is senseless. For the Grizzlies, they have managed to come out with a fine showing despite being on rebuild mode. They are currently sitting at the 8th spot of the NBA Western Conference with a 27-26 win-loss record, a clear sign that they are progressing in the right direction.
For Iguodala, joining the Heat further boosts the team's push in the NBA playoffs. Miami is at the fourth spot of the NBA Eastern Conference with a 35-18 win-loss record and is looking good. Having signed a two-year extension with the Heat, there is a fair chance that this will be Iggy's last run. But then again, a final season with the Warriors is not discounted. The only problem seen there is that Iguodala would already be 39, likely hinting he will spend more time mentoring and spelling top stars at that point.
