The mini trade saga is over: Andre Iguodala has been traded to the Miami Heat and signed a two-year $30m extension as the Grizzlies (26-25) have received Justice Winslow, James Johnson and controversial guard Dion Waiters in return for their troubles after a drawn-out process which seemed destined to end in acrimony.
Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant were unapologetically public with their criticism of the three-time NBA champion. After all, the 15-year veteran hasn’t played a second of NBA basketball since featuring for the Golden State Warriors in last June’s Finals – instead living and working 1,800 miles from the team that completed a trade for him on July 7.
Plenty has been said in the subsequent months about Iguodala, the Grizzlies’ surprising form and how a 36-year-old veteran with invaluable championship experience just isn’t comfortable playing on a non-contending team this season. You can see both sides of the story (unless you’re a Grizzlies supporter!) and ultimately, the saga dragged on too long.
Without further ado, here’s the trade details in full:
Heat get:
Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill
Grizz get:Ā
Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and James Johnson
Iguodala breakdown, how will he fit in Miami?
Iguodala averaged 5.7 points (50% FG), 3.2 assists and 33% from three-point range in 23.2 minutes per game last season. As for the playoffs, he started 15 of their 21 games and his stats speak for themselves:
9.8 points, 1.1 blocks and steals, 4 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game – alongside 35% from deep and 49.4% total shooting. Those are the types of numbers the impressive Heat (34-16) will expect from Andre going forward, particularly playing alongside their All-Star duo Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
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Butler (centre) has shone for Miami this term, alongside All-Star Adebayo and rookie Tyler Herro
Iguodala was a crucial piece of the Warriors’ three championships and five consecutive Finals appearances; despite turning 36 this month, still considered one of the league’s elite wing defenders, an excellent passer and off-the-dribble threat.
Iguodala said he’s “really excited” to be joining the Heat and playing with Butler, who shared similar sentiments overnight.
After their 128-111 defeat to the LA Clippers on Wednesday, Butler had this to say:
“[Iguodala brings] winning. He knows how to do that on both sides of the ball, is super smart and there’s nothing he cannot do. We got a lot of pieces, man. He’s definitely going to add to that.”
What about the other players in this deal?
Winslow (back) has only played 11 games this term with injuries – he’s averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Waiters meanwhile, joins the Grizzlies having played only thrice for the Heat after three separate suspensions this term including one for taking cannabis-infused gummies on the team plane and needing emergency medical attention when the flight landed in LA.
Johnson averaged 5.7 points and 2.9 rebs in 18 games this term — Crowder was averaging 9.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while Hill had 5.7 points and 3 rebs per game.