NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Must Court Andre Iguodala
Andre Iguodala is a name that is garnering loads of attention from several NBA teams. These are five teams that need to heavily pursue his services if they plan on making some noise this season.
The whole dynamics of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise is changing. Blake Griffin has single-handedly made this team relevant with his unbelievable aggression on rims around the league.
They traded for Mo Williams during the 2010-11 season to upgrade their talent level, and they could use another talented guard. If the Clippers grabbed Iguodala from the 76ers, it would show their fans that they are serious about contending in this potential shortened season.
Iguodala averaged 14 points, six assists and six rebounds per game last season. He can do a little bit of everything.
What makes him a valuable piece to add is his ability to defend. He was on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season. His size (6’6”) allows for the capabilities to guard multiple positions.
The Clippers allowed 102 points per game last season. They could use the help.
Maybe an acquisition like Iguodala could help the Clippers sneak into the postseason.
With Chicago looking to add help for Derrick Rose, Iguodala would be an interesting piece to help the Bulls get past the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.
Chicago needs one more piece to add to their backcourt. They need to add an athletic guard that can do a little bit of everything on the offensive side of the ball.
Bringing in an offensive player like Vince Carter or Tracy McGrady would be a horrible move. The Bulls need somebody who can play solid on offense and defense.
Iguodala’s defensive prowls would fit right in with Tom Thibodeau and his great defensive mind. Chicago carried the second best defense in the NBA last season (91.3 PPG allowed). Acquiring Iguodala would allow the defense to not miss a beat.
The New Orleans Hornets should be focusing on one thing and one thing only: keeping Chris Paul. He’s the best point guard in the league when healthy, and he may be the most valuable player in the entire NBA.
New Orleans can’t allow Paul to leave in free agency, even if it may seem difficult for them to hold onto him. If the Hornets organization feels that Paul may stay if they bring in a guy like Iguodala, then it would make perfect sense to snatch him up.
Iguodala can play multiple positions, can guard multiple positions and can do whatever is needed to win games. Marco Belinelli started 69 games last season. Iguodala isn’t a pure shooting guard, but he could fill Belinelli’s spot while he gets reduced to a bench player.
Bringing Iguodala over may not be enough to keep Paul in the long run, though. Hornets’ management needs to decide whether or not to trade him or attempt to keep him.
Similar to Paul, Dwight Howard has the ability to walk after the season expires. If the Magic honestly believe that Howard would be willing to stay (I don’t think he will), then they must try to show him that they are willing to bring in quality players around him.
I’m not sure if Iguodala is exactly what Howard is thinking, but he would be an upgrade to a team that’s been on the brink for the past several years.
The Gilbert Arenas experiment blew up in the faces of the Magic last year. He isn’t the answer to get them to the next level. Iguodala would be a much better fit.
There isn’t one guard on the Magic roster that can explode the way Iguodala can. Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu aren’t players that will give you the type of athleticism a guy like Iguodala can.
Orlando needs to get younger in their backcourt. They will also want to keep Howard as happy as possible. I’m not sure if Iguodala would be enough to keep Howard, but they might try. You just never know.
It’s obvious that the Los Angeles Lakers need to get younger and more athletic in the backcourt. Derek Fisher is 37 years of age. He played nearly 30 minutes per game last season. Iguodala would bring the Lakers the youth and athleticism they have been lacking for the past few seasons.
Not only would Iguodala bring a better all-around offensive game than Fisher, but he would be a major part in the transition game. He can get up and down the floor with ease. You can also lob just about anything around the rim and he can go get it.
If you have watched Iguodala, you know that he can struggle with outside shooting. Fisher is better in that area, but the No. 1 reason why Iguodala would be a great fit is because of his overall athleticism.
He can also shut down opponents on the defensive side of the ball with his ability to guard multiple positions. His 6’6” 207 pound frame allowed him to earn NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season.
Iguodala would be an ideal fit for the Lakers. They need to get younger and more athletic. Mike Brown would also appreciate his defensive characteristics.
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