NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Teams Andre Iguodala Could Immediately Improve
With trade rumors running ridiculously around the web and Andre Iguodala's name getting caught up in a lot of them, we decided to take a look at the teams he'd make a smashing impact on.
Via Twitter, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported Iguodala would welcome a trade to the Clippers. The Sixers and Clippers were discussing a trade involving Chris Kaman, who has the same agent as Iguodala—Rob Pelinka.
Offering Monta Ellis, according to ESPN.com, Golden State also appears to be in the running for Iguodala. The 27-year-old shooting guard/small forward can still run and take flight with the best of them. Several teams could use his services.
Join me now for an interesting and entertaining look into which teams those are, and what his impact would be on them. In the words of my Jamaican friends: "Start the show them."
10. Denver Nuggets: They Need His Shooting Guard and Small Forward Experience
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Iguodala has more years service in the NBA than all of Denver's shooting guards and small forwards.
The Nuggets could have used some of his hot sauce—athleticism—on the wings in the offensive open court.
He averaged 19.9 points per game in 2007-08, but he started and played a career-low 67 games in 2010-11. His scoring average dipped to 14.1, but it's still comparable to the Nuggets' wings.
Iguodala also made the NBA All-Defensive second team in 2011. Denver also needed some of Iguodala's defensive gems against high-flying Russell Westbrook.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Their Shooting Guards Can't Wear Iguodala's Shoes
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The very young Wolves definitely need an alpha male like Iguodala. His NBA and Team USA experience is far greater than any other shooting guard they have.
On their current roster, Darko Milicic and Luke Ridnour are the two players with the most years of NBA service. Iguodala would provide mature leadership for guys like Michael Beasley.
Minnesota has a potential perennial All-Star in Iguodala's Team USA-teammate Kevin Love, who can also play center. Power forward Anthony Randolph could be an All-Star someday. He definitely has the talent.
The talented Iguodala's game also compliments point guard Johnny Flynn's. The Wolves should consider adding Iguodala—considering the shooting guards they need help guarding in the Western Conference who aren't named Kobe.
Kevin Martin, Brandon Roy and Manu Ginobili ran roughshod over the Wolves last year. Iguodala's defense would bring an end to all that and give the dance team something to cheer.
8. Houston Rockets: The High-Scoring Kevin Martin Needs a Complimentary Player
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With scoring machine Kevin Martin on their squad, the Rockets need another athletic combination shooting guard/forward—like Iguodala—to stay pasted to the opponent's perimeter scorers.
With Iguodala guarding the opponents' top scorers, Martin could concentrate on dropping buckets.
Iguodala and Martin's offensive games fit nicely together, and new coach Kevin McHale should look into acquiring Philly's shooting guard/small forward. The Rockets would immediately improve by leaps and backcourt rebounds.
7. New York Knicks: The Big Apple Should Let Iguodala Take a Bite
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Good things would happen in the Big Apple if Iguodala brought his defensive presence to the Knicks. Chew on this: Boston knocked the Knicks out in the first round.
Iguodala could've guarded either Paul Pierce, Ray Allen or Rajon Rondo and made a difference. Not a player on New York's roster from last season can say that.
With Iguodala, if New York adds a center and a couple of other pieces, then the Knicks could advance to the second round past Boston.
6. Detroit Pistons: Richard Hamilton's Window Could Close Very Soon
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The Pistons have depth in the backcourt, but they're strapped in the frontcourt. Rip Hamilton, 33, could be approaching the end of his career in Detroit, Michigan.
He had problems with the coach last season, and that led to him playing in only 55 games. Hamilton surprisingly has played in all 82 games only once during his career.
Iguodala's offensive, defensive and games-played résumé matches up very well with Rip's. Some people may be shocked.
Since 2005-6, when Rip played in 80 games, the number of games he's played per season drastically declined to 46 in 2009-10. He averages 17 points per game for his career, three rebounds, three asists and less than one block.
According to ESPN.com, Hamilton signed a seven-year, $62 million contract in 2003 and a $34 million, three-year extension five years later. Only two years are guaranteed with the extension deal.
According to ESPN’s Ric Bucher, Iguodala is scheduled to make $13 million in 2011-12, then $14.7 million the next two seasons. A Hamilton-Iguodala deal is definitely workable.
5. Boston Celtics: They Struggled Guarding LeBron James During the Second Round
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Without being forced to work hard, LeBron helped the Heat defeat the Celtics, and he dropped to one knee after the series.
By acquiring Iguodala—who does a pretty good job on LeBron—Boston's suddenly struggling defense improves on the perimeter.
Ray Allen could come off the bench for Boston, while Iguodala starts at the three. The Celtics would get younger and more athletic, while stretching Allen's and Pierce's playing days courtesy of quality depth.
With Iguodala in Boston, LeBron won't be taking a victory knee.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder: Their Captains Need More Shooting-Guard Soldiers
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The thunderous Iguodala's experience straightaway helps the already-strong Thunder.
Oklahoma City made it to the Western Conference Finals, but the Thunder faced a more experienced and deeper Dallas team—especially at shooting guard.
Adding Iguodala reverses that.
3. Miami Heat: They Could Use a Transition Player Named Iguodala
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Iguodala wore the black jerseys in 76ers">Philadelphia, and he'd look lean and mean in the Miami Heat's. When Dwyane Wade checks out of the game, the Heat severely lack a scoring threat in the open court to run with LeBron.
Iguodala would remove the speed bump blocking Miami's running game and keep the Heat a hot team.
2. Golden State Warriors: They Need Someone Who Can Slow Kobe Down
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Teaming with Stephen Curry, left, Iguodala would provide a bigger body in the backcourt to help guard the great Kobe Bryant. Curry was Iguodala's teammate on the 2010 men's national squad.
Iguodala averages almost two steals per game for his career. He's quick enough to lock people up on the perimeter and a brute on the NBA's low blocks.
He averages almost five defensive rebounds per game (4.7) out of 5.8 total. Like any good defender, he rarely fouls. Referees whistle Iguodala up for fouls only twice per game.
Curry averaged 18 points per game last season. In 2011-12, he could replace Monta Ellis' point production (24 per game) by simply getting three more layups per game, or two layups and two free-throws.
Iguodala needs only four more points per game to match Curry's 18. He fits with Golden State because his game is different from Curry's. Ellis and Curry have too similar styles for their own good.
1. Los Angeles Clippers: Griffin, Gordon and Jordan Give the Paper Clips Hope
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With Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan, adding Iguodala would immediately improve the Clippers.
Jordan will be a restricted free agent next year, so L.A. will have to step up and re-sign him if they trade Kaman to Philadelphia.
At the 2010 FIBA World Championships, Iguodala was Eric Gordon's teammate.
The USA won the gold medal with a team including Kevin Durant, Lamar Odom, Tyson Chandler, Danny Granger, Russell Westbrook, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry and Derrick Rose. A rose by another name wouldn't smell as sweet as the entertainment we try to provide you.
I've been your humble host for this particular program. Thanks for reading and watching. Join me next time for another fire edition of Lake's Iggy Report.
