Andre Iguodala hasn’t played in an NBA game since suiting up for the Warriors in last June’s Finals, but he sounds ready to return to action. During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take (video link), Iguodala said he’s feeling refreshed after a long layoff.
“It’s been a blessing in disguise, in terms of having this time off. I think it’s added some years to my career,” Iguodala said. “… When you wake up in the morning in January for the last 16 years and you’re looking for the pain like, ‘Oh, there it is,’ and then you don’t have that. So it’s kind of been good.
“I’ve been on the court, I’m in shape. I’m kind of slim, so I could use, like, three-and-a-half pounds of muscle,” he added. “It’ll take me a couple days to put that on. But I’m ready to get back on the court.”
When the Warriors overhauled their roster during the 2019 offseason, Iguodala was a victim of a cap crunch and was shipped to Memphis along with his $17MM expiring contract.
Iguodala apparently had little interest in playing for the Grizzlies and Memphis’ front office was fine with him remaining away from the team, even as the young roster exceeds expectations and contends for the No. 8 seed. However, the Grizzlies still believe the former Finals MVP has positive trade value and insist they plan on moving him by the trade deadline rather than buying him out.
With February 6 now less than two weeks away, it may not be long before we know where Iguodala will finish the season. Assuming the Grizzlies are right that they can find a trade, that would reduce the list of potential landing spots for the veteran, who will turn 36 on Tuesday. The Lakers, for instance, would be a top contender for Iguodala if he reaches free agency, but don’t really have the salary-matching pieces necessary to trade for him.
For his part, Iguodala believes he can still make a positive impact on a contending team, as he told ESPN’s First Take hosts.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give,” Iguodala said. “So hopefully the right situation comes about for myself and the Memphis Grizzlies as well.”
What would Toronto need to give to get him coming off the bench?
They don’t need this worthless scrub. He sucks. He should just join ESPN and run his mouth. That is all he’s good for now.
The man is far from a scrub after playing in the league for 16 years and winning championships he shouldn’t have to play for a young team if he didn’t want to especially since Memphis front office is okay with it. It would be one thing if he was getting fined for it playing on top of it but he’s not.
Aren’t the Grizz becoming a contending team (maybe not on the level Iggy wants, but – after all – he is under contract to them). They could use a wing as well.
He’s a spoiled cry baby. He thinks he is better than he actually is. He could be mentoring the young players and helping them out but he is a selfish jerk. Only cares about himself. Probably thinks he is a Hall of Famer. He is not.
Wow you sound bitter AF! There’s nothing wrong with Iggy preferring to not play with the Grizzlies and then the Grizzlies agreeing with it… it’s mutual. Also, he is pretty awesome on D still and am curious to see which contender he lands on. He can give a great 15-20 min per game guarding the best wing like not many can
agreed!!!!
Right I started saying the same thing above this guy has a real hard on for iggy.
While it’s true that Iggy thinks he is still a great player even though he’s well past his prime, he will in fact be in the HOF some day. Iggy may no longer play like a Finals MVP, but he may still be able to provide quality minutes off the bench to a contender as the 8th or 9th player in a rotation.
He didn’t even play like a FMVP when he was the FMVP, but Steph Curry sure did. Check the stats that series, Steph OBLITERATED Iggy, who only got in due to voters being stupid – with the stat-oriented game we have now that would NEVER happen today.
Even if Memphis some how nabs the 7-8 seed, they’re not a contending team.
Both parties here could have handled this better. If the Grizz don’t want him playing then just buy him out. Iggy shouldn’t be content with sitting out all this time either. You are not bigger than the game and it comes off as weak that you dare not play for anyone less than a title contender. He could have been a great leader on a rising Memphis team.
Seems fine to me – Memphis wants to get an asset…Iggy can use the rest to gear up for the end of season and playoffs. Not to mention it may help extend his career a year or two. Doesn’t look to me like he feels he’s bigger than the game, you’re just looking for controversy where there isn’t any.
Its not controversial, its just a bad look. Memphis thinks so highly of him they dont even want him playing. You literally proved my point by saying “he wants to rest up for the playoffs”. Taking time off and jump ship to a contending team, which he will then leave and go back to GSW next season is soft. Imagine thinking otherwise.
Its not a bad look at all, you just have anti-GSW bias. Grow up.
The Warriors have zero to do with this lmao they cant even sign him this season. Even some Warrior fans on here have said that but sure its some anti Golden State conspiracy.
3.5lbs of lean mass in a couple days? That’s insane if that’s accurate for him.
“Iggy is a HOFer” is wrong on multiple levels.
Firstly, no surprise, the Iggy nickname was never approved.
He was a good basic player but not too good to play for a Memphis team which does hold his contract. Memphis is outperforming expectations, no thanks to Iguodala. IDK who hates who the most, doesn’t matter.
His deal is he was dangerous vs. Cleveland, had good not great numbers, made one allstar team, and after 10 years, had to be spotted.