NBA: 10 burning questions for the 2019-20 season
By Phil Watson
10. What contender moves first on Iguodala?
The Golden State Warriors moved on from several veterans that had been part of the core of their dynasty, most notably trading former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies along with a lightly protected 2024 1st-round pick.
The move was made to allow the Warriors the necessary cap space to pull off the D’Angelo Russell sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets and though Iguodala will be 36 in late January, he is a player who could make a difference for a contender.
The question is which one will make Memphis an offer it can’t refuse?
Iguodala is long removed from his lone All-Star Game appearance as a Philadelphia 76er in 2012 and hasn’t averaged double-figures in scoring since arriving with the Warriors in 2013.
But he’s been a valuable part of what Golden State did over the last five seasons, helping them reach five straight finals and win three NBA titles.
He is a player who could bring both valuable reserve minutes and a steady veteran presence to a contender, having played in 97 postseason games over the last five seasons, each year playing a bigger role for the Warriors in the playoffs than he did over the course of the regular campaign.
The youngest contender out there is the Denver Nuggets and they are also the team with the biggest question on the wings entering the season.
The Nuggets have several options at the 3, none of them particularly outstanding, and a player like Iguodala could help them in a number of ways, albeit in short bursts.
The Milwaukee Bucks, who have massively overhauled — if not actually improved — their bench in the offseason is another club that could use a boost on the wing if things go a little sideways.
Outside of those teams, young clubs that could make a playoff push might look to add a veteran voice for stability if they remain in the hunt before the deadline. That could include the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls or the New Orleans Pelicans.
But the odds of Iguodala finishing the season with the Grizzlies have to be considered very small.