Andre Iguodala has finally found a new team in the league with the Miami Heat. The veteran swingman sat out more than half the season after getting traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason.
Iggy made it clear that he wouldn’t suit up with the Grizzlies and now the team traded to the Miami Heat, with whom he will ink a new two-year, $30 million extension. That maneuver caught the attention of Portland Trail Blazers’ guard CJ McCollum, who sent a big shout out to Iguodala, calling him a ‘legend’.
Bruh you’re a legend @andre . My guy sat half the season. Spent time with his family. Promoted his book. Sharpened up his post retirement plans and cashed out 😂✊🏾 respect bruh.
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 6, 2020
“Bruh you’re a legend @andre . My guy sat half the season. Spent time with his family. Promoted his book. Sharpened up his post retirement plans and cashed out. respect bruh,” he wrote.
Hours before his trade was announced, the 3-time NBA champion was the subject of critics and subtle messages from Memphis Grizzlies players given his self-imposed ban. Speaking to The Undefeated, Iggy reflected on this situation.
New #Heat forward @andre talks about his trade to Miami with @TheUndefeated. Learn more about the veteran’s power move soon in @TheUndefeated and @espn I. A wide-ranging interview. #NBA pic.twitter.com/AggL4emYsC
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 6, 2020
“You got to take everything with a grain of salt. Rules shift from time to time across generations. There is a 10-15 year age difference. They don’t move how we move and the same wasn’t said about us when we were that age. ‘What are young guys doing now? What is respectful now?’ … It’s different.
“So, I don’t look at it as personal. I don’t know if it’s from them. But the only thing I will tell them is that I love them. Those are my guys. (DeMar) DeRozan said Lou Williams. He said, ‘Lou is my brother and he would give him his last dollar.’ I feel the same way about every player in this league. I felt the same way about those two guys. Ja is going to be Rookie of the Year and he is playing amazing basketball. I’ve been watching him this year even though I knew we’d never be teammates. This guy is a talent.”
Moreover, Iggy showed his excitement about this new challenge. He revealed he’s happy to join a team like Miami, while also stating that he’s excited to be playing with Jimmy Butler, one of the best wing players in the league today.
“I’m really excited about that. Jimmy Butler obviously proved to be one of those guys who were looked at as different but very well-respected in terms of the passion and hard work that he brings out to the game. I feel like his temperament and values that he have really resonates with the Miami Heat.”
Andre is ready to start a new chapter in his career and this addition will surely improve Miami’s level. They’re trying to place a bigger bid to compete in the East and this move is another step in the right direction.
