The Los Angeles Clippers are the better fit for Andre Iguodala
By Jason Reed
It is becoming more and more likely that Andre Iguodala is bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies, which opens the door for him to join the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Los Angeles Clippers already have a roster that is more than capable of winning the NBA Championship this season but there could be even more reinforcements coming on the way.
One name that has been connected to the Clippers all summer into the fall is Andre Iguodala, who was traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Memphis Grizzlies over the summer.
Iguodala and his $17 million contract are not a fit for a Grizzlies team that is rebuilding and is probably inclined to lose games this season. The moment he was traded to Memphis the narrative switched to where he would then be traded next.
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However, because of his contract, nothing ultimately came of it and now a buyout seems to be the most likely route. ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski stated on The Lowe Post that Iguodala will decide between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers if bought out (h/t CBS Sports).
Both present compelling destinations for Iguodala. Both are contending teams with superstar duos that could use a veteran presence like Iguodala. However, when examining the outlook of both teams alongside Iguodala’s impact, it becomes clear that the Clippers would be the better fit.
The Los Angeles Clippers have just as good, if not better, chances of winning the title as the Lakers, so I do not think that favors into his decision. It will come down to playstyle and roster need, which is what makes the Clippers the better choice.
The Clippers are a defensive-forward team. It is the strongest area of the roster and is what is going to win them plenty of games this season.
The closing defensive lineup of Patrick Beverly, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Montrezl Harrell is terrifying on paper. Right now, Lou Williams would probably be on the court with those four as well.
Adding Iguodala to that mix only makes the defense stronger. It would take Williams off the court in crunch time in certain situations but it would all depend on the status of the game. With Iguodala, the Clippers would have the luxury of running a defensive five that are all well above league average.
The Clippers also have room for Iguodala to make a tangible impact. This would open the door for Paul George to start at the two, Landry Shamet to be the backup point guard and Iguodala to be in the starting lineup.
He does not need starting minutes, but he can start at the three or four with Kawhi Leonard at the other forward spot. Adding that one extra forward that can play tangible minutes allows Harrell to primary play as a backup center, taking away the need for him at the power forward position.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are kind of crowded at forward. They have LeBron James, who could play point guard but likely will only do that in crunch time as the Lakers have three viable point guards that they signed for a reason.
They have Anthony Davis, who has insisted that he prefers to play the four and not the five, and will only see time there when they absolutely need it. Kyle Kuzma is coming off the bench to provide support at forward, as is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jared Dudley.
It would take more shuffling for the Lakers to make this happen. Does that prevent them from being interested? Absolutely not, but the fit, at least for Iguodala’s sake, seems more organic with the Clippers.
Next. Advantages Clippers have over Lakers. dark
Iguodala would have more of a defined role with the Los Angeles Clippers, which is important to a veteran player when he tries to envision what his future looks like.