The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers have emerged as Andre Iguodala’s preferred destinations, but the Memphis Grizzlies are unlikely to yield in the trade market.
That’s according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports neither the Lakers or Clippers are in strong positions to trade for Iguodala.
Iguodala was traded to the Grizzlies from the Golden State Warriors this past summer.
But the move hasn’t worked out for Memphis, with the 35-year-old yet to suit up for the Western Conference side this season.
A trade has been talked about ever since his move to Memphis, but the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement has slowed down the trade market due to free agents signed in the past summer being unable to be moved until December 15th.
The restriction gets lifted this weekend, sparking fresh rumours on Iguodala’s future, with Wojnarowski reporting Memphis are still holding out for a team to come in with a trade for the three-time NBA champion.
The problem however is Iguodala’s $17million contract he is owed for the season before becoming a free agent in the summer.
In a summer which saw teams spend record fees on big-money deals, there isn’t a lot of teams who can afford to take on that type of contract.
And Wojnarowski adds the only chance of either the Lakers or Clippers signing Iguodala was if the Grizzlies bought him out – something they’re not willing to do just yet.
“Memphis is determined that they’re going to find a trade for him between now and February 6,” he told ESPN.
“I think there’s less confidence around the league that there’s something that makes sense, especially among the elite teams who would love to get him on a buyout.
“The two L.A. teams and Houston – Houston’s tried any number of two-way, three-way, four-way scenarios to get Iguodala and they’ve had no luck.
“That salary at $17million makes it harder to do but Memphis has great confidence they’ll be able to find a trade and won’t have to do a buyout.
“But I think if he’s going to get to one of the two teams he’s most interested in – the Clippers and the Lakers – it would almost have to be by buyout because those two teams don’t really have the ability to trade for him.”
The Lakers though may hold an advantage over rivals Clippers if such a buyout does take place.
That’s due to the close ties Iguodala has with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who is the player’s former agent.