Dallas Mavericks rumors: A potential package for Andre Iguodala

With thoughts of contention in the minds of the Dallas Mavericks, they need one more piece. They have a potential trade package for Andre Iguodala.

The Andre Iguodala situation for the Memphis Grizzlies needs to come to an end for the franchise and for the NBA in general and the Dallas Mavericks might hold the key. Iguodala, a 3-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, was traded to make room for the D’Angelo Russell contract.

Iguodala was traded to the Grizzlies with cash and the Warriors 2024 1st round pick for Julian Washburn. The Warriors then waived Washburn.

Iguodala made it pretty clear from the outset that he never intended to play for the Grizzlies. He wanted to play for contenders only, citing the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers as his preferred destinations.

However, the play of the Dallas Mavericks has them emerging as a dark horse to sign Iguodala. They could use his defensive talents as he is still considered one of the best wing defenders in the game.

The Mavericks would not have to give up much to get Iguodala, which is saying something considering his  $17.1 million salary. The trade would potentially look like this:

Why the Dallas Mavericks say yes.

When the Mavericks traded for Kristaps Porzingis, I doubt even they could have foreseen what has happened this season, sitting fifth in the very competitive Western Conference and simply dominating games of basketball.

Unfortunately, they still feel a piece short if they are going to contend for the championship this year. That very piece could be Andre Iguodala.

If Iguodala is on the team, he can take players like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the defensive end. This makes the Mavericks a serious threat in the West.

They should not be concerned about the stand off Iguodala is having with the Grizzlies, He is 35 years old and does not want to put his body through another 82 game season if there is no chance at a title.

He has played about 20 extra games a year over the last five years. These games have not been regular season intensity. They have been playoff and finals intensity. This is a lot of pressure to put on a body this late in a career.

Give him the chance to play with a  contender and Iguodala will give his all again. If the Mavericks only have to give up a rarely used rotation player in Lee and a second round pick, this is a bargain.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies say yes.

Quite simply, if the Grizzlies can end the stand off, they will have won. There has to be a level of distraction for this young team, even if it is in the front office. Moving forward with a clean slate will benefit this team.

Also, it would give the Grizzlies can get some return on their investment. While they probably never expected Iguodala to play, flipping him for another expiring contract and a player who will give decent minutes every time he is tapped on the shoulder is a no brainer. Especially if the player has a smaller $12.8 million contract.

Courtney Lee has also spent just over two and a half seasons with the Memphis organization. He played 177 games in the Grit-N-Grind era and knows the city. He has never been a star but knows his role really well and plays hard at both ends of the court.

Lee also adds experience to a roster with only three players with six or more years in the league. This will assist in the development of some of the younger players such as Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen.

To put it simply, replacing an absent player with a solid role player, both on expiring contracts is a sensible move.