Andre Iguodala has been a key component to the Golden State Warriors’ success over the past five years. His elite play on the defensive end of the floor has given the Warriors a balance to the offensive superstars that they have. While Iguodala doesn’t put up the numbers like he used to, he is still a player that contenders should be trying to get. Now with the Memphis Grizzlies after the Warriors traded for D’Angelo Russell, Iguodala’s future remains in limbo. The Houston Rockets need another wing defender to help push their team towards the top of the Western Conference.
The Houston Rockets Need Andre Iguodala
Championship Experience and Team Fit
The Rockets need to trade for Andre Iguodala because of his experience and team fit. They have their superstar backcourt of Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They have breakout center Clint Capela and scrappy “three and D” player P.J. Tucker. The only spot that is missing is small forward, which is Iguodala’s position. Iguodala can bring that defensive presence to complement a superstar backcourt. Sound familiar? The Rockets have been right on the cusp of an NBA championship over the previous two seasons, losing to the Warriors both times. An argument can be made that the Rockets have been the second-best team in the league over the past two years. Iguodala will bring championship experience to a team that lacks it. He will also hit big shots or help get key stops in the playoffs as he has proven in the past.
Going All-In
The Rockets have one of the highest payrolls in the NBA, paying massive contracts to Westbrook, Harden, and Capela. At this point, the Rockets are pushing all of their chips to the middle of the table. So why not trade right now for Iguodala? Iguodala is going to be headed to the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers if not the Rockets. These teams are Houston’s direct competition in the Western Conference. Hence, they should pounce now before Memphis gives up on trading him and just buys him out later on in the season. With many teams in the west improving this offseason, the Rockets can’t afford to lose Iguodala to a rival. It will cost Houston a first-round pick, but the draft pick won’t even be a high pick anyways.
Andre Iguodala is the Missing Piece
Andre Iguodala is the final piece the Rockets need to compete for a championship. They have a need at small forward, a lack of championship experience, and are in need of a defender. At 35 years old, Iguodala might not be as good as he was a few years ago, but he still provides the intangibles that championship teams have. At this point, the Rockets need somebody that won’t demand the ball on offense, but be scrappy on defense and can hit threes. The pairing of Iguodala and Tucker as wing defenders would add a championship element to this team that it may be lacking. The Grizzlies want to get rid of him, and the Rockets would be a perfect match.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
