The former NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala is creating a lot of tension between himself and the on-fire Memphis Grizzlies. The 36-year-old wingman was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies last summer from the Golden State Warriors. Igoudala was traded to the Warriors in 2013 and has spent five seasons with them. For three of those seasons, he was part of a championship team and was awarded the 2014-2015 NBA Finals’ MVP.
The highly decorated veteran has been pushing the Grizzlies management to trade him to a championship contender before the trade deadline. While a smart move for the veteran, it is creating tension within the team. Igoudala threaten the Memphis Grizzlies if he is not traded or bought out of his contract before the trade deadline on February 6, he would chose to sit out the rest of season.
Some of this tension is reflected with some of Memphis’s current young players such as rookieJa Morantand Dillon Brooks. Brooks has expressed that he is eager to show the former All Star that the team does not need him. They are .500 this season and are in the running for a playoff spot. They are currently the eighth seed in the highly competitive western conference.
“I can’t wait ’til we find a way to trade him so we can play him and show him really what Memphis is about,” Brooks told reporters.
Morant took a different approach, not only supporting his teammate Brooks on Twitter, but also lashing out at Igoudala’s former teammate Stephen Curry.
Given the youth of the Grizzlies organization, its frustration with the veteran small forward is understandable. Igoudala hasn’t played with the team yet this season, and is still being paid the three-year, $48 million contract that he signed with Golden State back in 2017.
As the time approaches for the trade deadline, there are not any confirmed deals on the table for Igoudala to be shipped off to a different team, stay on the Memphis Grizzlies or be bought out his contract.
