Former Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala not reporting to camp with Grizzlies

Former Golden State Warriors’ forward Andre Iguodala is not reporting to training camp with the Memphis Grizzlies, the team he was traded to in July.

It was a sad departure, but the Golden State Warriors had to release small forward Andre Iguodala if they wanted to retain their Big 3 and then also add D’Angelo Russell.

Now, Iguodala and the Grizzlies have reached a mutual agreement that results in him not participating in the team’s training camp. This is just days after the Grizzlies said that they don’t plan on offering the veteran on the brink of retirement a buyout from his rather large, eight-figure contract.

Prior to being traded this offseason, Iguodala spent the last six years with the Warriors, helping the team win three of the last five NBA championships. He was also crowned the 2015 NBA Finals MVP after a solid defensive effort on Cleveland’s LeBron James.

That said, Iguodala is apparently not loving his new home in Memphis.

According to a report from Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian, Iguodala will not be at Memphis’ media day and will continue working out on his own instead of attending the team’s training camp, which kicks off October 1.

The 15-year veteran is an ideal asset for a championship-caliber team.

The Warriors are that, but they needed the cap space that releasing Iguodala offered. Now, the defensive-minded forward may eye teams like Los Angeles or Philadelphia; however, he’d have to be bought out of his initial contract first.

It seems as though the buyout won’t come in the near future and that Iguodala will be on the roster opening day. Yet, at the same time, it seems less than ideal for Memphis to keep him given the rebuilding nature of their current team.

There’s no need to hang onto Iguodala when he’s valuable in the trade market. That’s the problem the Grizzlies are encountering. They want value for Iguodala and don’t want to just deal him, but Iguodala is instead looking for a buyout.

Given his relevance and the elite Western Conference threats, it’s important to watch where Iggy heads in the near future.