CHICAGO - As soon as he was traded from Golden State to Memphis last July 7, Andre Iguodala made it clear he didn't want to play for the young and rebuilding Grizzlies.
Now in the twilight of a 15-year career, the 2015 Finals MVP wants to play for a contender. He didn't report to last September's training camp and has sat out all of the Grizzlies' 26 games so far.
In those 26 outings, the versatile guard-forward was paid $207,317 per, a whopping $5.3 million with 56 game checks more to go.
If you think the Grizzlies are moping over the loss of so much cash, think again.
According to the Daily Memphian, "Iguodala will remain on the Grizzlies roster well into the season. However, the team agreed the veteran can continue private workouts at a location of his choosing while Memphis pursues trades involving the former Golden State Warrior and NBA Finals MVP."
In other words, the Grizzlies don't mind losing money to gain some assets.

Instead of buying out Iguodala's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent, Memphis wisely chose to keep him as a trade asset. Having already acquired a 2024 first-round pick from the Warriors when they took on his expiring contract with one-year and $17 million left on it, the Grizzlies want more.
In Memphis' eyes, Iggy is the gift that keeps on giving.
Taken ninth overall in the 2004 NBA draft, the class headed by No. 1 pick Dwight Howard, the 6-foot-6, 215 pound Iguodala has appeared in 1,108 regular season games where he averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
He will turn 36 next month and has 37,034 usage minutes on his knees. But that will conveniently be overlooked because of his two-way skills and championship pedigree.
Even with more time on the fairways and less on the hardcourt, Iguodala, has remained sharp through a rigid workout routine and a healthy diet.
"I've been working out," he told Brooklyn's Hot 97 Radio last October. "I'm really in good shape. I'm the leanest I've ever been in a while."
Fresh. Healthy. Locked and loaded.
Whichever L.A. team acquires him before the February 6 trading deadline will definitely have a leg up in the race to represent the Western Conference in the 2020 NBA Finals.
But will the Lakers or Clippers be willing to pay the high price Memphis is hoarding in exchange for a vital championship piece?

RESCUE LOVE. Drowning in the sea of misery that is the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love hasn't demanded a trade, but if the team will ship him for younger assets, he'd prefer Portland in his home state of Oregon.
A five-time All-Star and one-time NBA champ (2016), the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Love is the apple of many teams' eyes. A calming locker room presence, the highly-skilled forward is averaging 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per in 22 games this season.
Cleveland's record, however, is a sorry 6-20, charting a slow and certain course towards the near bottom of the Eastern Conference and sure to miss the playoffs.
Love will be great to have on any contending roster in need of veteran savvy to level up. Unfortunately, he has more flags than the United Nations building.

First and foremost is his contract. He earns $352,439 per game this season and has another three years more of guaranteed money worth $91.5 million.
Secondly, he is 31 years old. He will be 34 in the 2022-23 season and GMs would have to wonder if he will still be worth the $29.9 million that is due to him at that time.
Lastly, he has a history of injuries. In the three seasons prior to this one, Love has missed a staggering 105 out of 246 regular season games.
Those are the reasons why Kevin is still a Cav.
Love is easy.
Marriage is not.
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