In an effort to work out a trade to send J.R. Smith elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers attemped to acquire Andre Iguodala from the Golden State Warriors.
Well this would have made an awkward situation somehow more awkward. J.R. Smith has been absent from the Cleveland Cavaliers for over half a year. Before deciding to waive Smith Cleveland attempted to send him to Golden State in exchange for Andre Iguodala.
Yes, the same Andre Iguodala who provided the turnaround for the Warriors in the 2015 NBA Finals. The same Andre Iguodala who was on the receiving end of the most famous block in NBA Finals history.
Andre Iguodala is a good player, but this would have been a tough sell to Cavs fans. The spark Iguodala provided to the Warriors back in 2015 certainly helped them defeat the injury riddled Cavaliers in The Finals. Cleveland fans have been sharing that same video of LeBron James blocking Iguodala for over three years now. Suddenly accepting Iguodala as a player on the Cavaliers would be as awkward as awkward can get.
Obviously the trade did not happen. Iguodala was sent to Memphis along with a protected first round draft pick and Smith was waived by Cleveland. Golden State received a trade exception in the deal, something that would not have happened if a Smith for Iguodala swap would have occurred. It is easy to understand why Golden State would rather go with this option. They are in a bit of a transition and will be without Klay Thompson for some time next season due to an injury. Adding J.R. Smith would not necessarily help the Warriors out at this moment in time and in the end Smith was waived and Iguodala was sent to Memphis. Memphis is apparently looking to move Iguodala as potential contenders are looking to acquire the former Finals MVP. The description of potential contender is not something that currently describes the Cleveland Cavaliers.
