Andre Iguodala was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this summer but has no intention of playing for them. The team shouldn’t give an inch in this standoff.
Heading into the season, the Memphis Grizzlies were only projected by most outlets to win around 25 games. Well, after defeating the Detroit Pistons 96-82 on Monday, the Grizzlies matched that projected win total and are currently the eighth seed in the vaunted Western Conference. Memphis is the feel-good story of this NBA season thanks in part to the stellar play of big men Brandon Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr. as well as rookie phenom Ja Morant. No one expected these kinds of results this early from the young Grizzlies, especially forward Andre Iguodala.
Over the summer, the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies agreed to a trade that would send the former NBA Finals MVP to Memphis as well as a protected first-round selection. It was viewed at the time as a salary dump for Golden State with Memphis, a perceived bottom feeder, getting a draft pick as compensation.
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Naturally, Iguodala asked Memphis to either trade him or buy out the remainder of his contract so that he could spend the remainder of his career on a contender. Memphis refused to oblige Iguodala’s demands and instead asked him to join the team for training camp. In turn, Iguodala refused Memphis’s request, remaining adamant that the team trades him to a contender. Eventually, both sides reached an impasse and Memphis allowed Iguodala to stay away from the team while they tried to find him a new home.
At the time, this felt like a weird compromise. Sure, Memphis was a team expected to be stuck in a long term rebuild and Iguodala is in the twilight of his career and wants to play meaningful basketball. But, that doesn’t change the fact that Iguodala was contractually obligated to report to Memphis at the beginning of the season. In any field, basketball or not, when someone is paying you to work for them, you’re expected to be there.
That’s the kicker in all of this. Iguodala has been away from Memphis this entire time and they’re still paying him even though they reserve the right not to. They haven’t fined him either for his absence, which they also reserve the right to do. If anything, Memphis has been nothing but patient with Iguodala and trying their best to accommodate him as he demands to be moved to only a handful of teams. All the while, the Memphis Grizzlies have become a playoff team – something Iguodala was looking for!
But, neither side can go back and pretend none of this has happened and just let Iguodala rejoin the team. But, that also doesn’t mean the Grizzlies have to just cave and give in to Iguodala’s demands. They’ve gone above and beyond for him up to this point, and have gotten nothing in return. If they find a trade partner that sends Iguodala out of Memphis then that’s perfect. But it doesn’t have to be to either Los Angeles team. The Memphis Grizzlies should do what’s in the best interest of the organization. Besides, they’re just doing what Iguodala is doing for himself.
If nothing does materialize at the trade deadline, then Memphis should feel no rush to buyout Iguodala either. If his camp continues to make a scene, nothing is stopping the Grizzlies from waiting until the last possible minute to let him go. In doing so Iguodala would be allowed to sign with a team of his choosing, just not a playoff-eligible one. Things probably wouldn’t get to that extreme but it’s for sure worth noting.
No matter how things end, this could remain an ugly blip on an otherwise remarkable season for the Grizzlies. But, it could become a thing of beauty. After the aforementioned win over Detroit, Memphis guard Dillon Brooks had this to say about his disgruntled “teammate”:
Dillon Brooks on Andre Iguodala: “I cant wait til we find a way to trade him so we can play him and show him really what Memphis is about.”
— Mark Giannotto (@mgiannotto) February 4, 2020
This young and plucky Grizzlies squad already plays with a ton of heart. Now, with a massive chip on their shoulders the NBA, and Iguodala, could be in for a rude awakening.