NBA: Curry Gets Emotional About Absent Forward, Expects His NBA Return

The absence of Andre Iguodala finally hit Stephen Curry when Golden State Warriors’ training camp got underway this week ahead of the new season. The point guard admitted that he had a “heartfelt moment” and texted the former Warriors forward.

Iguodala was among four other Warriors players who were part of the team’s five years of dominance when they made consecutive finals on the way to winning three NBA championship rings. This summer the Oakland franchise underwent multiple changes with Iguodala being traded to Memphis Grizzlies and Shaun Livingston announcing his retirement.

Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, who is out until at least March with an ACL injury, are the only players from the old guard going into the 2019-20 season. Curry admitted that it’s “weird” not seeing his former teammates after spending the last five years from the first day of training camp until the season ends with the culmination of the NBA Finals.

"I texted Andre yesterday," Curry said Wednesday, on Day 2 of training camp, as quoted on Yahoo Sports. "I had a little heartfelt moment. Said, ‘I miss you, bro.'"

"It's just weird not seeing them," the two-time MVP added. "You get used to so many faces and a certain presence on the court. Those two guys were ... when you saw them, you knew what time it was."

"Things change, obviously, and we talked about it all summer and knew this kind of situation was happening. But this is definitely weird."

Iguodala, meanwhile, is not expected to turn out for the Grizzlies after they reached a mutual agreement that he would stay away from training camp until they find an interested team to engineer a trade. The veteran forward wants to complete a buyout and become a free agent but the Memphis franchise are not willing to give up an asset – at least for a contender – without getting something in return.

Curry is certain Iguodala will play in the NBA this season, especially with potential contenders like Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers showing interest if he enters free agency. The Warriors guard revealed that Iguodala is training regularly and staying sharp in the event that he is traded before the start of the season.

"He's grinding," Curry said. "He's staying sharp and in shape. I know he's got a lot more to give in the league, so we'll see."