NBA Trade Rumors: When and Where Could Andre Iguodala Be Dealt?
It's almost a month into the NBA season and we've been greeted with plenty of surprises (New Orleans' impressive run, Micheal Beasley and Darko Milicic's statistical resurgences in Minnesota, Utah's nightly double-digit come-from-behind victory) and disappointments (Oh, who am I kidding? Not too many people are disappointed as much as they are delighted with Miami's early-season struggles).
Almost every team has played 15 percent of the regular-season schedule. So that means everyone's favorite topic—trade rumors-—will be creeping into headlines more and more as the contenders are separated from the middle-of-the-pack teams in the next few months.
Thanks to the departure of LeBron James from Cleveland, the antics of Carmelo Anthony, and the supposed requests/demands of Chris Paul, this summer set the stage for superstars and marquee players to switch teams as easily as low-to-mid level players.
It seems inevitable that a few big-name guys will be dealt before February's deadline. And the name that has been on the watch list of several contenders dating back to last season isn't Anthony or someone like Steve Nash, but Philadelphia 76ers' swingman Andre Iguodala.
Iguodala signed a six-year, $80-million contract with Philly in 2008 and is owed $40.6 million through 2013, with a $15.9 million player option in 2014. The Sixers were eager to pair him with free agent Elton Brand in hopes of creating a dynamic inside-out tandem that would lead the team back to prominence in the Eastern Conference.
We all know how that's worked out.
But Iguodala's strong play in the FIBA World Championships—in which he was utilized primarily as a defender, rebounder and role player, rather than a guy who creates for himself and others with the ball in his hands a majority of the time—showed he could have substantial value and thrive as the second or third wheel on a perennial playoff team.
When Philadelphia drafted Evan Turner second in the 2010 NBA Draft, it only further complicated Iguodala's future as a Sixer. Do they go forward with two players who have a very similar skill set or do they cut their losses with Iguodala, stockpile young talent and draft picks, and go forward with a foundation based around this year's No. 2 pick?
If the Sixers do decide to part with him, they won't find a shortage of buyers. Here's a quick glance at five teams that have been linked with Iguodala—not just in the last few weeks, but dating back to last year's trade deadline—and their chances of landing Philly's versatile small forward (starting in alphabetical order).
Cleveland Cavaliers
1 of 5
Why They Need Iggy
The Cavs lost a significant part of their offense in the offseason and they've been incredibly inconsistent in their adjustment. At times they look like they could compete for a playoff spot and at others they look like they're counting down the days until Harrison Barnes or Jared Sullinger arrives.
While they're not off to a horrible start (5-7, lost four of their last five), they're getting minimal-to-no offensive production from their small forwards.
Jamario Moon has the starting job (for now), averaging 6.3 points (43.7 field-goal percentage, 25.7 three-point percentage) on 5.9 shots.
Jawad Williams had the backup role for the first ten games, but his 4.3 points on 36-percent shooting didn't solidify his status in the rotation.
Joey Graham, who could make his first start as a Cavalier tonight, has been a spark in a few games, but as the primary option at SF he's going to have a difficult time getting consistent buckets.
With a Mo Williams-Anthony Parker-Moon/Graham/Williams-J.J. Hickson-Anderson Varejao starting lineup, the Cavs really only have two offensive options on the floor. Without a premier scorer or passer that gains a lot of attention from opposing defenses, it's really difficult to generate any type of offense.
Iguodala would give Cleveland some much-needed athleticism on the perimeter, lineup flexibility, and take pressure off Williams and Hickson in the half court.
Likelihood of a Trade
An Iguodala-to-Cleveland deal made more sense last February. Now it's unlikely either of these teams would go ahead with a deal.
Teams are calling about the availability of Varejao, but most of those teams are championship and playoff contenders that are looking to make noise this year. With Varejao making over $32 million through 2013, Philly doesn't get any cap relief and doesn't get a player that would make them better.
Cleveland is not parting with Hickson, so a potential deal would either center around Antawn Jamison or the Cavs' $14.5-million trade exception. They have a surplus of three first-and-second-round picks until 2015, but I doubt the Cavs want to spend the draft picks they accumulated this offseason on a non-superstar making max money for another three years.
If Cleveland's front office could have seen what Iguodala was going to do in the FIBAs, maybe it would have found a way to get a deal done before last season's trade deadline. But now, it's not happening.
Dallas Mavericks
2 of 5
Why They Need Iggy
For years the Mavericks have searched for a complementary wingman or forward to go with Dirk Nowitzki. They thought they had found him in Caron Butler, but he didn't make a significant difference in the playoffs and he's struggling mightily to start this year.
Mark Cuban isn't afraid to spend money—he signed Brendan Haywood to a $50-plus-million deal...and he's now the backup center. Dallas has taken on big contracts in the past and wouldn't blink about pulling a deal for Iguodala if it thinks it would bolster championship chances this year.
The Mavs are the league's oldest team and Iguodala's youth and athleticism would be a real asset. Jason Kidd's vision would set up countless fastbreak opportunities and, with so much attention being paid to Nowitizki and shooters like Kidd and Jason Terry, Iguodala would be free to roam around to open spots and attack the offensive glass.
The Mavs have already shown improvement defensively thanks to Tyson Chandler—adding Iguodala would give Dallas two of the top defenders at their respective positions in the league.
Likelihood of a Trade
The Mavs could put together a decent package for Iguodala. They have Butler's expiring contract ($10.5 million), a few nice, young, talented players in Dominique Jones and Roddy Beaubois, and they own all of their future first-round picks.
The question is would something like Butler and Beaubois or Butler and a few future draft picks be enough for Philly to part with Iguodala? The Sixers are under no obligation to trade him this season and a deal like this would almost be a salary dump—not necessarily ideal when dealing your franchise player.
Cuban could try to further sweeten the deal by taking on another one of Philly's long-term contracts, like Elton Brand or Lou Williams.
This would definitely make Dallas a serious contender in the Western Conference. I assume the Mavs and Iguodala will be linked together quite often in the upcoming weeks and months. If Dallas can maybe get a third team involved, it would only up their chances of dumping Butler and acquiring Andre.
Denver Nuggets
3 of 5
Why They Need Iggy
This part is easy: Andre Iguodala doesn't actually fit in with what Denver currently has on roster.
So why include the Nuggets? Because in all of the offseason drama that surrounded Carmelo Anthony and his trade demands, somehow Philadelphia cropped up into the conversation.
Denver's not ready to give up on inking Anthony to an extension, but the clock is rapidly ticking. If he doesn't re-sign, it's in the Nuggets' best interest long-term to get something in return—teams saw what happened to Toronto this summer and they don't want a repeat scenario.
Likelihood of a Trade
A two-team deal that would result in 'Melo landing in Philly and Iguodala playing for Denver is not happening. I can't imagine any type of scenario in which it is actually discussed.
But it will be complicated for the Nuggets to find any type of straight-up deal in which they get anything close to equal value for Anthony. They more than likely need a third team involved and that's where the Sixers could come into play.
If 'Melo wants to play for the Knicks, the Sixers could accommodate by sending Iguodala and a few other small deals to Denver, absorbing one of Denver's expiring contracts (like Chauncey Billups or Kenyon Martin) and adding whatever pieces New York throws in (i.e. Danilo Galinari or Wilson Chandler).
A Carmelo Anthony trade will most likely be a three-or-four team deal. And since Philly has the only tradeable player with a contract and actual value close to 'Melo, it's not implausible to think Iguodala could be involved in a multi-team trade. Not likely, but not impossible.
Los Angeles Clippers
4 of 5
Why They Need Iggy
Every year it seems like the same story with the Clippers: lots of young talent, but an inability to put it all together.
I'm still a believer in Eric Gordon. And I don't need to tout Blake Griffin's ability. But L.A.'s missing an aggressive, attacking scorer at small forward that can add another dynamic to the offense.
A Gordon/Griffin/Iguodala nucleus, surrounded by impressive rookies Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu, wouldn't be a bad launching point for Los Angeles.
Likelihood of a Trade
Baron Davis has one of the two most untradeable contracts in the league—there's no way Philadelphia would want anything to do with him. So a deal would most likely have to be centered around Clippers' center Chris Kaman.
The Sixers have a gaping hole in the middle and Kaman would provide relief. He's struggled from the floor this year (36.4 percent in eight games) but he hasn't shot less than 45 percent in his seven-year career.
Spencer Hawes is Philly's starting center, but he's only logging 16 minutes a game—he's a backup at best.
But would the Clippers be willing to part with Kaman? They'd have to be sure that DeAndre Jordan could be counted on to assume full responsibilities at center. Griffin is a stud, but he's too undersized to play center and is still raw defensively.
It's a possibility, but the way Los Angeles has started the season, you wouldn't think they'd want to add a contract like Iguodala's while still trying to develop guys like Aminu.
Oklahoma City Thunder
5 of 5
Why They Need Iggy
Admittedly I've only heard this rumor from one person: ESPN's Bill Simmons, on a podcast with Joe House, discussing the NBA season. The proposed deal from the self-proclaimed Trade Machine Picasso would send James Harden, Morris Peterson's expiring contract and a future No. 1 pick (either one of OKC's or the Clippers' 2012 first-rounders—which are owed to the Thunder) for Iguodala.
Since Simmons loves to throw ideas out there—even those that look great on paper but would never actually happen—it shouldn't be taken literally.
Still...
If this deal was actually on the table, Oklahoma City would have to jump all over it. The Thunder would have a top-four of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Iguodala and Jeff Green, along with Eric Maynor, Serge Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha, Nick Collison and Cole Aldrich coming off the bench.
They'd boast not only one of the most versatile and athletic rotations in the league, but their defense would jump to a new level. Since they were already a top 10 defense in 2010, imagine trying to score or drive past Westbrook, get a shot over the long arms of Durant and Iguodala then try to body up and finish against Ibaka or Collison. Yikes.
Maybe the Thunder don't necessarily need Iguodala, but an opportunity like this couldn't be ignored.
Likelihood of a Trade
Three things have stood out about the Thunder this season: their defense significantly slipped at the beginning of the year, they lack true spot-up outside shooters and they need a physical body-banger inside to crash the offensive glass and protect the rim.
They started out slow defensively but are starting to rectify that flaw, holding three of their last four opponents under 100 points. Teams are still shooting well against OKC but most of that is a product of getting close shots. Getting Nick Collison back from injury will help their defensive troubles.
Iguodala doesn't help the Thunder in either of the other two categories. He's obviously not a prominent low-post player and he's a career 32-percent three-point shooter.
It wouldn't be a horrible deal for Philadelphia, especially since Harden may just need a change of scenery to break out (a la Michael Beasley). But OKC needs to worry about bolstering the interior game rather than seeking out another wing like Iguodala.
It's a fun deal on paper with some exciting possibilities, but it's highly unlikely to actually happen.
