NBA Rumors: Clippers Have Conditions In Pursuit Of Former Champion

Andre Iguodala is probably the hottest property on the trade market currently but interested teams are not willing to sacrifice key assets to land the three-time NBA champion. The veteran forward was traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the deal that saw D’Angelo Russell arrive from Brooklyn Nets.

The Grizzlies are in a rebuilding phase and have no room for Iguodala and they are keen to offload him, but only via a trade, as they are not interested in buyout and allowing the player to become a free agent. The asking price from the Memphis franchise is pretty steep as they are looking for future first-round draft picks and young players more suited to their franchise.

The Houston Rockets were top of the queue in the race for Iguodala but after they traded for Russell Westbrook from Oklahoma City Thunder, they had no more assets to give unless they trade one of Eric Gordon or PJ Tucker. The Los Angeles Clippers were the other team interested in Iguodala and continue to remain in the race for his signature with many other teams but according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, they will only move if the Grizzlies complete a buyout.

The Clippers acquired Paul George and Kawhi Leonard this free agency and are strong on the wings, and the one player that they will need to let go to acquire Iguodala will be Moe Harkless, which they are not willing to do, especially since he only joined them earlier this year.

“If Iguodala is bought out, the Clippers will be among the first in line to try to sign him. But I don’t think a trade is realistic,” Buha wrote for The Athletic. “L.A. is already deep on the wings, and I’m not quite sure Iguodala’s a better player than, say, Moe Harkless.”

The Los Angeles Lakers, who still have one roster spot available are also certain to be interested in Iguodala if he becomes a free agent this summer. It remains to be seen if the Grizzlies will resort to a buyout if they can’t find any trade partners or if they will begin the season with the veteran as a sixth man.

Meanwhile, Patrick Patterson, who was recently waived by Thunder after completing a buyout, has rubbished reports suggesting that he will sign with the Clippers on a veteran minimum deal. ESPN reported his imminent arrival in Los Angeles but he has dismissed the reports and revealed that his team is still working on finding the best solution for the free-agent forward.

"Right now, all of the Clippers stuff is just nothing but rumors,” he said, according to WOWK-TV’s Anna Maria Tarullo. “The main thing right now is me entrusting my camp, my agency to put forth me in a position to where I can capitalize and utilize my abilities.”