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In the past couple days Andre Iguodala has been traded from the Warriors to the Memphis Grizzlies. Speculation is the 15-year NBA veteran may land with the Lakers, or maybe Houston.
He should write a book. Oh wait, he just did.
It’s called “The Sixth Man” and Iguodala pitched the book hither and yon last week. The title explains exactly why Iguodala, even at 35, would be an attractive pick-up for the right kind of team.
Both the Lakers and Rockets would qualify.
Houston (tied to Iguodala by Fox Sports 1), has been eliminated from the playoffs by the Warriors the past two seasons, both when it looked as if its time had come. But Golden State won Game 7 in 2018 with Rockets point guard Chris Paul out with a hamstring, and Game 6 this postseason, with the Warriors’ Kevin Durant out with a calf strain.
The Warriors won those two series because they played together, trusted each other and made the big play at the right time. The Rockets’ inability to do all of the above, and the friction that resulted from being eliminated, has thrown the organization into turmoil. Iguodala’s sky high basketball IQ, ego-free personality and leadership by example could make a difference.
The Lakers (tied to Iggy by ESPN), have two big pieces in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James’ first season with the Lakers was a train wreck. He suffered a left groin strain on Christmas Day and wound up missing 27 of L.A.’s final 48 games. At season’s end, the front office jumped the tracks.
Assuming James is good to go, and that the Lakers can assemble a credible supporting cast, Iguodala could be a valuable player and a cool head on and off the court. That goes double if the Lakers recruit Kawhi Leonard.
To be continued.
