Los Angeles Lakers: Not trading for Andre Iguodala was the right move

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly tried to trade for Andre Iguodala. However, he is on his way to the Miami Heat. For the Lakers, this could be a blessing in disguise.

With the trade deadline nearly here, the Los Angeles Lakers have had some rumors surrounding them about some of the marquee names available.

One player who the Lakers have been linked to since the summer is Andre Iguodala. The hope for the Lakers was that Iguodala was going to be bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies after the Golden State Warriors traded him there.

However, the Grizzlies were insistent on trading him, and it looks like they were able to get a decent asset in return for him with Justise Winslow.

Considering Iguodala never showed up to play for the Grizzlies, this is certainly a good deal for Memphis. In addition to being traded to the Miami Heat, Iguodala also is reportedly getting a contract extension.

Considering Iguodala is 36-years-old, this is quite the extension for him. While the Heat are looking to make a run for it in the Eastern Conference and compete with the Milwaukee Bucks, handing an extension to Iguodala is a bit surprising.

For the Lakers, even though Iguodala would have helped them, trading for him was never going to be a good option. If the Lakers were to trade for Iguodala, they would have not only had to find a way to match his salary, but the Grizzlies would have also wanted some sort of young asset or a pick.

In order to fill those needs, a potential Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma package for Iguodala would have been an awful move for the Lakers. While Iguodala was part of the Warriors dynasty, he is essentially a very good role player at this point.

Last season, Iguodala averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 23.2 minutes per game in the regular season. In the playoffs, those numbers did go up, as he averaged 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 30 minutes per game. Iguodala certainly plays strong defense, but it would have been a lateral move if the Lakers had to send Green to Memphis for him.

Iguodala is certainly a player that could have helped the Lakers come playoff time, but trading anything of value for him wouldn’t have really upgraded the team all that much. If he was a free agent and bought out, the Lakers absolutely would have pursued him. However, not trading for Iguodala was the right move for the Lakers at this point.