Heat acquire Iguodala from Grizzlies in deadline deal

Andre Iguodala is taking his talents to South Beach.

The Miami Heat acquired the veteran forward from the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, less than 24 hours before the NBA trade deadline, according to a report from ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski. Miami then signed Iguodala to a two-year, US$30 million contract extension, per Wojnarowski.

The report indicated the package Memphis will receive will include forward Justise Winslow.

Iguodala, 36, won three championship rings with the Golden State Warriors, but he was dealt to Memphis during the off-season as part of a cost-cutting move. Iguodala never played a game for the Grizzlies, instead receiving permission to stay away from the team as he requested a trade to a preferred destination.

Iguodala’s prolonged absence irked Grizzlies players, including Dillon Brooks, who recently told reporters: “I can’t wait till we can find a way to trade him so we can play (against) him. Show him what Memphis is all about.”

Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant also recently engaged in a social media tiff with Warriors guard Stephen Curry about Iguodala. Curry posted a picture of Iguodala holding a championship trophy, and Morant responded by posting a picture of former Warriors forward Kevin Durant holding the same trophy. Morant added a “shrug ” emoji and a “shush” emoji.

Over his career, Iguodala has averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest. He also has appeared in 145 playoff games, during which he has averaged 10.7 points, 4.8 boards and 3.9 assists.

The Heat will be Iguodala’s fifth team. He spent eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, one season with the Denver Nuggets and six seasons with the Warriors before his turbulent stint with Memphis.