The Grizzlies, who have no plans to buy out Andre Iguodala, also haven’t adjusted their asking price on the trade market for the veteran forward, according to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. Having acquired a first-round pick along with Iguodala in July, the Grizzlies are hoping to secure a second first-round pick when they flip the 35-year-old.
“They haven’t budged,” a league executive told Deveney. “Maybe they will as the date gets closer, but they’ve made clear, they’re not interested in a buyout with Andre and they’re looking for a first-rounder. Teams have been trying. They haven’t let go of that. But that tells you they know they’ll be able to get something and won’t have to buy him out.”
Acquiring a first-round pick for Iguodala’s $17MM expiring contract seems ambitious unless the Grizzlies are willing to take on some unwanted multiyear money, but there’s no harm in trying. The former Finals MVP is currently away from the team, and any potential trade partner with interest would be eyeing him for a potential playoff run, so Memphis can afford to be patient.
While I’d be surprised if the Grizzlies get a first-rounder for Iguodala, it seems as if the club should be able to land a second-rounder or two. The Mavericks, who control one of 2020’s most valuable second-round picks and could match Iguodala’s salary using Courtney Lee‘s expiring contract, still look to me like the best fit, but Deveney identifies the Bucks, Nuggets, and Jazz as a few other possible suitors.
I explained earlier today why several contending teams – including the Lakers – will have a tough time putting together a trade package for a player like Iguodala.
THATS FUNNY keep dreaming memphis
SmashV
Keep dreaming of being in the playoffs brownsfan
No one has caved in to their demands yet, so why would they now? It would be idiotic for anyone to give up a first round pick AND pay Iguodala what ever is left on his $17M salary, no matter who they trade to get him. Lots of teams would love to have Iggy for the minimum, he’s worth more than that. But is he really worth what Memphis is asking? No.
I get the sneaking suspicion this is about small markets sticking it to the Lakers. I’d bet Memphis didn’t like the way LA manipulated the Anthony Davis situation, and they’re holding firm here to deny the Lakers a huge pickup.
And yes, I know Iggy isn’t a lock to go to LA if he’s bought out, but it seems very likely.
Davis went to LA because he wanted to play there, not because of some Laker manipulation. Memphis just has no reason to budge, I doubt they’re basing their future plans off of where AD wanted to play
That’s not what Magic said not even two days ago.
And if you think LA wasn’t coordinating with various agents to make the Davis deal, I’ve gotten some beach property in Florida I’d like to sell you.
Bro get over it
Memphis GM is suspect at best already, I’d love to hear why he is paying Iggy all that money for absolutely nothing. The only ones you are sticking it to is your own team, your fans and Iggy you moron.
What would they be doing with the “saved” money anyway. Nothing. Same as their interest in 34-yo Courtney Lee, nothing.
Iguodala is already gone, so Memphis might as well see how playoff pressure affects the thinking of other teams as the year unfolds.
Indulging some small-market attitude costs nothing, either; may work out.
The Memphis FO may be in a standoff with Iguodala too, about his buyout price. Although I don’t think that figure is made public, which would limit embarrassement at stake.
They wouldn’t be doing anything with the money…except making the owner more money. LOL I mean GMs are in place to make the teams competitive. But if nobody is offering anything (and nobody offers anything), that was $15 million that could have been in the owners pocket. If I was the owner, or even an investor, I’d be annoyed.
that’s not how the salary cap and profiteering work for the NBA. There’s profit sharing and a minimum to spend on player salaries every year. reference the 2016 off-season explosion of crap contracts bc the cap jumped and teams had to spend it somehow
Memphis would have to take back salary to move Iguodala, presumably Courtney Lee, so they would still be on the hook financially.
Memphis doesn’t owe the lakers or Iggy anything. So why not lakers do some trade for him? Of course they do not want to give up anything so its the lakers fault not Memphis. Somebody is going to budge and send over a first or second round pick.
The Mavs should not be trading away any picks of value for Iguodala. He’s not that good. Only trade we should be looking at is a big man.
There’s a reason he is still in Memphis…..
Y’all act like he’s terrible but he can still be useful he is still a good defender and occasionally makes buckets
Exactly. There’s a reason no one on here works in an NBA front office
Iggy value will contine to drop. Im a sure hes staying in shape but working out on your own vs working out with a team is very different. Once he gets traded its going to take close to 2-3 weeks to get game time ready
Extreme (permissable) load management!
For his age and price, conditions would have to be perfect for him to be moved for 1st rounder. A team would need him to be THE piece that would put them over the top. I don’t think he would that piece for any of the teams listed.
We’ll know more as the season progresses. I think there is going to be a team that sees they need one more piece on the wing.
When Portland gets the big men back and with that backcourt and Melo playing decent, a guy on the wing who plays defense and is a leader could put them over the top finally.
Would be great to see Damian Lillard in the Conference Finals.
I doubt they get a 1st, but I respect what Memphis is doing. What’s best for their organization, and, in the process, the league. It’s not healthy for a salary cap league to have 17 mm a year players becoming UFAs mid season, where (in most cases) the salary with their new team won’t be relevant. If the league wants to encourage this kind of thing, then allow teams to buyout guys in part by paying down the contract, and trading the contract at the reduced number. Otherwise, protect the integrity of the “matching” trade system.
Let’s be honest, he’s not a $17m a year player. But his contract is that because of what he did for GSW. It’s like Kobe getting $25 a year his final 2 years. It was a thank you. Not a you’re worth this.
He’s 17 mm player for purposes of player trades (without cap space involved), which is all that matters for this purpose. His worth (presumably meaning what someone would pay in the open market) is almost never relevant to anything in the NBA (because there is never a true open market).
FWIW, the Warriors did NOT give him that contract as a “thank you” – it was greater than their initial offer to him. They had to scramble to match what he was offered elsewhere. Durant stepped up and agreed to take less $$ than max to accommodate him and Livingston. Worth it, who knows, but it was worth it to the GSW under it’s market.
Of course they still want a 1st round pick. It is December. They are not Santa Claus. Poor Iggy, lol. If he want to go to contender, give all of you salary in a buy out.
Ok. Maybe two #1’s. LOL.
Hahaha stupid grizzilies asking for more than what they want so that they can be negotiated down to said want. Why dont they just start with want they want and settle for less? Stupid stupid stupid
This coming from the GM of what team sir??
You right they could really be stupid
But unlikely, come on theyre the only ones out of touch and no one else is? Unlikely.
Grizzlies hold all the cards, it’s their game to win. Either they get the trade they want, they get the money back from Iggy, or they just waive him after the playoff deadline.
Waiving him after the playoff deadline will ensure that no UFA will ever go to Memphis. Doing a player dirty like that will create a bad image for the team. If they can’t find a trade partner, he will be waived/Bought out shortly after the trade deadline so he can sign with another team.
That’s what ppd said, trade or waive. Iguodala was a trade get, not a FA. I doubt MEM gets any blame, being honest from the getgo about it all.
plus the grizzlies didn’t trade for him to play him, the plan was always to use him as an asset
Nah. You’re wrong.
The Mavs could use the Grizzlies’ starting center and Iggy. What kind of compensation package would that combo fetch?
KP
jk
Powell, Lee, Justin Jackson 2020 GSW 2nd and DAL 2025 1st
or THJ, Lee, 2 2nds and the 2025 1st and maybe some cash to finish it off
17.5 million sitting at home watching ESPN. Not bad, not bat at all…
It wouldn’t be the worst thing for Iggy if he missed this season. 5 straight trips to the finals. His old knees probably need the rest.