Lakers Rumors: Former Warriors' Star Eyeing Los Angeles To Join LeBron James, Anthony Davis In 2019

Kawhi Leonard isn’t the only NBA Finals MVP that could be on his way to the Los Angeles Lakers. According to multiple reports, Andre Iguodala is planning on joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis in L.A.

Igoudala’s future remains up in the air after the Golden State Warriors sent him to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a sign-and-trade that will put D’Angelo Russell in the Bay Area. The veteran is expected to receive a buyout from a Grizzlies’ team that won’t compete next year, making him a free agent and able to sign with any team other than the Warriors.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said he’s being told Iguodala plans on signing with the Lakers. FOX Sports’ Chris Broussard tweeted that Iguodala is likely to land in Los Angeles.

Iguodala has one year left on his contract worth more than $17 million.

The Warriors traded Iguodala so they could acquire Russell and avoid losing Kevin Durant for nothing. Durant announced his intention to leave Golden State after three years to join the Brooklyn Nets.

Iguodala spent six seasons with the Warriors, winning three championships and reaching two other finals. He was among the most important bench players in the league, especially in the postseason when his minutes increased.

Iguodala was the Warriors’ most important defender. His defense on James in 2015 is what ultimately helped him win the NBA Finals MVP award when Golden State defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games. Iguodala spent a lot of time guarding the likes of James, Leonard and James Harden in recent postseasons.

The Lakers’ pursuit of Leonard makes Iguodala an even more important target for L.A. If the team is able to land the superstar, they won’t have any remaining cap space to spend on free agents. If the Lakers fail to acquire Leonard and still have $32 million in cap space, most of their top targets have already signed elsewhere.

Iguodala averaged a career-low with 5.7 points per game this past season, but that number improved to 9.8 points in the playoffs when he averaged 30 minutes per game.