Iguodala about to be a hot commodity

Thoughts on the NBA’s new landscape while awaiting Kawhi Leonard’s big decision:

Andre Iguodala is about to become a very hot commodity. He doesn’t fit into the Memphis Grizzlies’ plans, and if they arrange a buyout — as opposed to teams having to take on his $17.2 million contract — the Lakers could afford to make an offer. Memphis would prefer a trade, and a Houston Chronicle piece described him as “the perfect target” for the Rockets. This could get very interesting.

At least the Rockets are seeing things clearly. The idea of inserting Jimmy Butler into the James HardenChris Paul universe was comically bad. Meanwhile, Butler chose his longsought destination (Miami) over winning (staying in Philly), so good luck with that.

Retired NBA forward Matt Barnes on ESPN, asked about the HardenPaul relationship: “I’m more into body language (than rumors). There’s definitely some friction there, and I think everyone’s just trying to put that fire out.”

The Sacramento Kings gain nothing by replacing center Willie CauleyStein (off to the Warriors) with Dewayne Dedmon, but there’s a larger plan that could kick in by midseason: impressive Marvin Bagley teaming with Harry Giles and small forward Harrison Barnes in the frontcourt. Add Trevor Ariza to the club featuring De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic and the Kings look pretty impressive.

When Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks gave up two firstround draft picks in the capspaceclearing trade that also sent Allen Crabbe to Atlanta, you figured he knew something was coming down the road. Behold the arrival of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. People felt the same way about Lakers GM Rob Pelinka when he worked so hard to create $32.5 million in cap space for Leonard — but if Leonard signs with the Raptors or Clippers, Pelinka will have a bundle of cash and few attractive options to fill out that roster.

Could DeMarcus Cousins be one of those options, reunited with Anthony Davis after the two paired up so well in New Orleans? Cousins isn’t stirring up much interest, and this week he fired his longtime agent, Andrew Rogers, in favor of Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports).