NBA Rumors: Andre Iguodala Not Going To Be Free Agent As Memphis Demands Trade

Andre Iguodala might spend more time away from the basketball court after Memphis - the team that traded for him in the offseason, are said to deny him of a contract buyout. The Grizzlies management is reported to let go of the 15-year veteran only if a feasible trade is offered on their front office’s table.

Adrian Wojnarowski said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown, "The message that Memphis has been delivering to the entire league ... ‘You are going to have to trade for him. We are not buying him out. He is not going to be on the free-agent market.'"

After the consummation of the trade last summer that saw the 2015 NBA Finals MVP leave the Golden State Warriors, fans already knew that Memphis is just a pitstop for the 35-year-old Iguodala.

According to Wojnarowski, the frontrunners to sign Andre Iguodala are the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Houston Rockets. But with this recent development, these teams might have to wait until the next offseason before signing the versatile forward.

Then again, if the Memphis Grizzlies indeed are settled to their “trade only” exception demand, David Kenyon of Bleacher Report said either the Clippers or the Rockets are most likely to land Iguodala.

“Whether he's traded or eventually bought out, Iguodala should be a free agent in July 2020. But the current complication is by which method he leaves Memphis. If the Grizzlies stick to their demand, the Lakers will likely be unable to match salaries.

The Clippers and Rockets are better suited to handle the financial aspect of a trade. They should be considered the favorites—as long as Memphis is refusing to discuss a buyout, at least,” Kenyon said.

The rumor proved to be a dampener for most of the Lakers fans as the fandom expected Andre Iguodala to run the courts with Lebron James and Anthony Davis this season.

In an article published by Lakers Nation, it says, “ Iguodala’s Lakers ties run so deep that many insiders believe it to be a forgone conclusion that he'll sign here if he’s bought out. However, the Los Angeles Clippers seem to be the team to beat in a trade scenario.”