The Miami Heat have reportedly emerged as a potential suitor for Memphis Grizzlies forward Andre Iguodala according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Iguodala not with the Grizzlies, choosing to exile himself while the organization works to trade him.
“Sources tell me that the Heat have emerged as a suitor for Andre Iguodala.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Miami-Memphis talks for Iguodala. pic.twitter.com/SQKjj1akme
— Stadium (@Stadium) February 4, 2020
Iguodala has been linked to both Los Angeles teams as the key wing player that will complete the championship puzzle. However, several teams are vying for the services of the 36-year-old including Dallas and Houston. Miami can not be added to the list.
Golden State was forced to trade their key cog this past offseason in the aftermath of the Kevin Durant trade to Brooklyn. The two sides ended on a somewhat sour note, as Iguodala acknowledged that the extent of his leg injury in the playoffs last year was covered up by the Warriors medical staff.
While many teams aim to have Iguodala for the playoffs (after all, he is a 16 game player), he has not actually suited up this season. This comes to the dismay of many young Grizzlies players, like Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks.
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) February 4, 2020
Memphis has shown no strong motivation to trade Iguodala for nothing, or simply giving him away to a playoff team. Instead, the Grizzlies plan to simply wait for a trade offer that entices them. A buyout is reportedly not an option. If no trade presents itself, Iguodala will simply sit out the season according to David Aldridge of The Athletic.
Per league sources, Andre Iguodala is prepared to sit out the rest of this season if Memphis isn’t able to orchestrate a trade with one of the agreed-upon teams he designated by Thursday’s trade deadline.
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— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 4, 2020
The Grizzlies are playing hardball, as they should. While there may be some raised eyebrows seeing Iguodala waste a season, he is still getting paid his $18 million salary and could theoretically take a pay cut for a buyout opportunity if he wanted to do that.
