As Andre Iguodala remained in limbo for months in Memphis, rumors swirled about where he’d eventually land. When he spoke to Iguodala following his trade to Miami, Sam Amick of The Athletic pointed out that teams like the Lakers, Clippers, and Rockets were mentioned more often than the Heat as possible destinations. However, the veteran forward told Amick he was impressed by what he’d seen from the Heat this season.
“I watched them on TV a few times, and they’d been doing so well that they’re on everybody’s radar,” Iguodala said. “Like, ‘Man, these boys can play.’ They’re disciplined, they’re playing the right way, the DNA that’s in the organization, and how they drive the DNA and all the players who come through their system, from seasoned guys to young guys to undrafted guys and all the picks. They’re doing a good job with developing their players.”
A report leading up to the trade deadline suggested that Iguodala may decide to sit out the rest of the season if he wasn’t sent to one of his preferred landing spots, and it wasn’t clear that Miami was on that list. The 36-year-old didn’t confirm one way or the other whether he had to be talked into joining the Heat, but did say that a conversation with team president Pat Riley made him enthusiastic about the move.
“It’s just really getting you excited to play basketball, and getting you excited about what you’re going to do and what you’re bringing to the table,” Iguodala told Amick. “And when someone tells you that this is what you do, and this is what we’ve seen you do historically, and this is what we want you to do for us, it’s like, ‘Man, I can’t wait to do that.’ So that’s always good.”
Here’s more on the Heat:
- What can Iguodala bring to the Heat? Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald passes along thoughts from Riley, Erik Spoelstra, Kelly Olynyk, Udonis Haslem, and Jimmy Butler on that subject.
- The Heat were among several teams to inquire on forward Marvin Williams when he was bought out by Charlotte on Friday, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Although Miami missed out on Williams, the team still could be active on the buyout market. Riley said on Friday that the team wouldn’t mind adding a frontcourt player to help with rim protection, if possible.
- One Heat official told Jackson that Justise Winslow had hoped to have a more prominent role and be one of the faces of the franchise in Miami. Winslow may have more of an opportunity to get that kind of role in Memphis, once he gets healthy.
- After trading Dion Waiters and James Johnson last week, the Heat can get up to about $27MM in cap room this summer. That number would increase even further if Olynyk declines his $13.2MM player option, as Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel writes. Olynyk hasn’t made that decision yet, suggesting he’ll have to weigh a handful of factors this spring. “I think it’s an accumulation of everything,” he said. “I mean, obviously you want to play. You want to win. You want to get paid. So, yeah, it’s like an accumulation of everything.”
Marvin Williams would have been a great fit, especially before the trade, but still even after it, and likely would have a better shot at being in the rotation than in Milwaukee
If you’ve been coming here long enough, you remember me saying the Heat will be stuck with Kelly Olynyk when they signed him. He has been good for them for the most part, but that will still remain true
Damn…it really hurts losing Justise Winslow like this. I didnt even want to trade him for Jrue Holiday. I barely wanted to for Bradley Beal lol. I remember when I first saw him fall to us in the draft. and I jumped out of my chair in excitement and disbelief. Justise Winslow is everything you want. He is a Miami Heat player in every single way; He is a winner. I truly believe he has everything it takes to become a real player in this league, and make this look bad for the Heat. I think he will be awesome next to Jaren Jackson jr, and JA Morant. His versatility, IQ, and defensive intensity are elite, and I hope to continue to see him grow, as he hopefully gets past some of these injuries…I really felt like he was a perfect fit for our team, and am disappointed we didnt get a real chance to see him do what he is capable of. Man, we lost both Winslow and Richardson in such a short time…No matter what, I will continue to root for them, and they will always be Miami Heat family.
It seems like maybe his injury was going to keep him out at least most of the rest of the season, and in that case, I understand a bit better, but still it’s a tough decision considering people that were bought out and could have been available without losing him…Iguodala and Crowder bring a facsimile of Winslow’s game, and they should definitely fit, but in the short term, Winslow can guard bigger guys than them, as versatile as they are, in my opinion, and long term isnt even a question considering what I think Winslow could be.
My thoughts exactly on Winslow. Looked like a solid Heat Lifer.
Also not like Riley won’t bring back a high quality player. Both may be back in South Beach at the end of their contacts.