NBA: 3-Time Champion Looking For A Way Out; Lakers, Rockets Among Suitors

Andre Iguodala wants the Memphis Grizzlies to offer to buy out his contract and make him a free agent with both the franchise and the player ready to go their separate ways. The Grizzlies are not interested in letting the 15-year NBA veteran leave without getting anything in return and are now working to see if they can get a trade package from interested teams.

Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian reports that Iguodala and the Grizzlies have mutually agreed that the player will not be part of Monday’s media day and will also not attend training camp until the matter is resolved. He is expected to continue working out at a separate location of his choosing and it is expected to last well until the new season.

“Iguodala will remain on the Grizzlies roster, likely well into the season. However, the team agreed the veteran can continue private workouts at a location of his choosing while Memphis pursues trades involving the former Golden State Warrior and NBA Finals MVP,” Herrington wrote.

The Grizzlies currently have 17 players on their roster with a maximum of 15 permitted for the regular season and keeping Iguodala on the roster means they will have to cut one of the current players on the team. The 2015 NBA Finals MVP, who was traded by the Warriors this summer, has made it clear that he does not want to remain in Memphis and admitted both parties are working on trying to find a solution.

“We’ll see,” Iguodala told NBC Sports Bay Area when asked about finding a way out of Memphis. “OK, maybe I shouldn’t say we’ll see. But we’re trying to figure out things on both sides. They’re trying to figure out some things, and I’m trying to figure out some things. As of today, we’re on the same page. Camp opens the next week. We’ll see. We’re on the same page, though.”

Iguodala is open to a buyout but revealed that he is reluctant to leave money on the table as there is little chance of making it back while signing a deal with another team. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained on the “The Jump” that there is a way for the former Warrior to get a buyout without leaving money on the table.

The Houston Rockets are among the teams interested in signing Iguodala, while the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers are also likely to make a move for the veteran forward if he becomes a free agent. There is very little chance that any of the contenders can afford to trade for Iguodala owing to the $17.2 million he is owed in salary for the upcoming campaign.