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Mike Conley is gone...but goodness, his trade (and the traded player exception left behind) is the gift the keeps of giving for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is reporting that, after agreeing to a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets involving D’Angelo Russell and Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors have traded Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies to free up cap space. The cost? A future 1st round pick...
Golden State is trading Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies, league source tells ESPN. Warriors are sending a 2024 protected first-round pick in the 2024 (protected 1-4), 2025 (protected 1) and 2026 unprotected.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Memphis acquires a veteran role player with a championship pedigree capable of mentoring Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and Brandon Clarke on just what it means to be a professional basketball player. Oh, and they also get ANOTHER 1st round pick in the process of helping ease cap concerns for a contender.
This is what a competent front office does. They acknowledge the need for a rebuild. They acquire as many assets as possible for the players they have of value. They create flexibility to work within, and put themselves in positions to help others pay for past contracts by giving even more assets. A once dry draft pick cupboard now boasts multiple firsts from other teams (the Jazz’s likely 2022 and this Golden State selection) - and the Iguodala contract (all $17.5 million of it) expires next season...making it...you guessed it...another asset at the trade deadline for a contender.
Jae Crowder. Kyle Korver (maybe). Andre Iguodala. All players that could be attractive to a playoff team seven months from now...and could bring in even more picks and/or young players to the Grizzlies.
It is asset season in Memphis. This trade is yet another win for a red-hot Grizzlies front office.
Stick with GBB for more details and analysis as the insanity of NBA free agency continues.