Lakers Trade Rumors: Andre Iguodala Fits Flawlessly into LA Championship Puzzle
Iggy upgrades everything.
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t talented enough to win a championship with their current roster. They have too many weaknesses to compete with juggernauts like the Oklahoma City Thunder. Acquiring Andre Iguodala, though, kills four birds with one stone.
According to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld, after failing to acquire Iguodala last summer, they’ll attempt to appease the Philadelphia 76ers with an offer for his services once again.
Iggy is so valuable that you can’t look at him like a single upgrade. While he’d improve just one position on the floor, his game is superior to Metta World Peace’s in so many ways that he'd take the Lakers to another level.
While World Peace is a phenomenal defender, Iguodala is still a significant upgrade. He’s the best on-ball defender in the league. Los Angeles would have an answer to Kevin Durant like they’ve never had before.
Despite Iguodala being an All-World defender, the boost he’d provide offensively would be even greater.
When Kobe Bryant isolates 117 times a game, LA needs wings that are capable of hitting open threes when the defense doubles down. World Peace shot an abysmal 30 percent from downtown last season. Comparatively, Iguodala shot 39 percent.
As a playmaker, Iguodala is on another level than World Peace. He averaged 5.5 assists per game this season next to a measly 2.2 by World Peace. Iguodala would step into the point forward role left by Lamar Odom in his departure.
On top of all that, Iguodala would inject the Lakers with much-needed athleticism. With two seven-footers and a 260-pound small forward, Los Angeles is one of, if not the slowest team in the NBA. Iguodala is a freak athlete and an elite finisher at the rim—something they haven’t had since Kobe wore No. 8.
For the right price, LA would be wise to bring Iguodala back to the west coast. His on-ball defense, spot-up shooting, playmaking and finishing ability would make the Lakers a championship contender again. Mitch Kupchak won’t find too many players that would improve the team in four crucial areas.
Yeah, four birds with one stone—beat that, Chuck Norris.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
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