Los Angeles Lakers: Why Andre Iguodala makes sense for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have one more roster spot. Andre Iguodala has been linked to the Lakers for quite some time. Here’s why signing him would make sense.

According to sources the Los Angeles Lakers are holding on to that roster spot in case Andre Iguodala is bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies. The 35-year-old is at the back-end of his career, but he can certainly help any team he joins, particularly a contender like the Lakers.

Iguodala has had a marvelous career. He is a three-time champion, an All-Star (2012), and has made two All-Defensive teams.

This past season with the Golden State Warriors he averaged 5.7 points and 3.2 assists in 23 minutes. The stats don’t tell the story for Andre Iguodala. He is a shutdown defender and a great decision maker. An example of this is shown in his 4-1 assist/turnover ratio.

The veteran had some big moments even in the postseason. In game two of the NBA Finals he made a three-point shot that put Golden State up five with six seconds to play. In game six, a game the Warriors nearly won to push the series to seven games, Iguodala had 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting.

It doesn’t make much sense for a young and rebuilding team like Memphis to keep him around. He is a great locker room guy and can help the young guys develop, but it’s clear Iguodala wants to be part of a championship team.

If he comes to the Lakers he will be the voice of the second unit. He will take on the challenge of defending the best wing player on the floor. Having Iguodala on the floor with stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis is a scary thing for opposing teams.

His versatility and feel for the game is second to none, similarly to ex-teammate Draymond Green. Iguodala was a big part of the death lineup that the Warriors would put on the floor with Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant. The Lakers can throw something similar to that with LeBron, AD, Danny Green/Avery Bradley, and Kyle Kuzma.

The Lakers have plenty of firepower on offense, but they can surely use another defender. So far the Lakers have added three terrific defenders in Davis, Avery Bradley, and Danny Green. Now it’s time to add a fourth. The team ranked 20th in defense last season (113.5 ppg).

Andre Iguodala only shot 33% from deep this season but that mark went up to 35% in the playoffs. However, the Lakers already added enough shooting this offseason to pair with James and Davis.

The important thing is that he is a clutch performer who has been through it all in his NBA career. Adding him to the roster will also bolster the team’s chemistry. He already played with Quinn Cook, DeMarcus Cousins, and JaVale McGee too. If the Grizzlies buy him out, Iguodala would make a lot of sense.