The Memphis Grizzlies have entered a rebuilding phase and seemingly have no use for a player like Andre Iguodala, but they are apparently holding firm with their commitment to not allow the veteran swingman to become a free agent.
The Grizzlies are refusing to engage in buyout talks with Iguodala and expect him to show up to training camp, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Sources: Memphis wants three-time champion Andre Iguodala to report to training camp and is refusing right now to engage in buyout, which would prevent Iguodala from finishing a Hall of Fame career on his terms because this may be his final NBA season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 9, 2019
Iguodala is VP of NBPA, one of league’s most respected and desires a contender at this stage. Young, rebuilding Grizzlies received a valuable 2024 1st from Golden State in Iguodala trade, and after Dwight Howard buyout, were expected to eventually have same talks with Iguodala. https://t.co/feAQl4Jbv0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 9, 2019
Tthe Grizzlies already reached a buyout agreement with Dwight Howard (which allowed him to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers), and they were expected to do the same with Iguodala. However, Iguodala has more value and has already generated interest on the trade market, so it seems like Memphis is still trying to get something in return for him.
Iguodala is owed $17.2 million next season, and the Golden State Warriors needed to unload his salary in order to complete the three-team, sign-and-trade deal that landed them D’Angelo Russell. They also sent a 2024 first-round draft pick to Memphis in the trade, so the initial belief was that the Grizzlies were simply buying a first-round pick. That may still be true, but they also want to acquire another pick by unloading Iguodala.
There are multiple teams that reportedly want to add Iguodala, so refusing to engage in buyout talks with him is probably strategy for the Grizzlies.
