Could – or should – the Boston Celtics trade for Andre Iguodala

Recently, reports have surfaced that Andre Iguodala will be traded before he ever reports to Memphis Grizzlies training camp. Could or, rather, should the Boston Celtics make a bid for the former NBA Finals MVP.

It’s no secret that the Boston Celtics are a team bursting with youthful exuberance. That’s what happens when you bring on two first round picks, two second round picks and a seven-foot-six wunderkind. After three years of being seen as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, Danny Ainge has built a roster that may actually be about a year or two away from being a true contender as it currently stands.

That is, of course, unless the timelines of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are accelerated in a major way. Even still, does their lack of experience (combined with Kemba Walker‘s lack of even making it to the postseason for all but two seasons) put the Celtics at a disadvantage when the playoffs roll around?

Perhaps. But it doesn’t have to be.

The top player on the trade block right now is the exact panacea the Boston Celtics could use to cover up their lack of meaningful professional experience…

Enter Andre Iguodala.

Iguodala was an unfortunate casualty of the Golden State Warriors tearing down their dynastic roster after Kevin Durant tore his achilles and decided to stop attempting to win championships by choosing the Brooklyn Nets in free agency. The 3x NBA Champion and 2015 Finals MVP was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in order for the Warriors to restock their cupboard of assets.

Now, reports are surfacing that Iguodala has no intentions of ever suiting up for the rebuilding Grizzlies. Obviously, that makes him a prime candidate to be moved immediately.

Should the Boston Celtics pounce?

Well, to be clear, Iguodala would be a glove fit for just about any team. In Boston, though, he could serve as a mentor to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and help elevate their games to superstar heights. Iguodala is the ultimate glue guy, relinquishing his starting spot on Golden State for the sake of positional versatility. It resulted in one of the greatest five-year runs in history, with three titles and five trips to the NBA Finals.

With Tatum, Brown, Walker and Gordon Hayward all needing touches this upcoming season, Iguodala could be a symbol of sacrifice. He is living proof that at the end of the day, giving up playing time and a few points per game pales in comparison to building a sustainable legacy.

However, the persisting question continues to be: is it worth giving up assets to acquire Iguodala? The answer, currently, is no for the Boston Celtics.

Here’s why: with Iguodala making upwards of $17 million this season, matching salaries will be tricky. Boston cannot trade any players they signed this offseason until December 15th. That means Gordon Hayward’s $32 million or Marcus Smart‘s far less cap-consuming $13 million would need to be thrown into the mix. Giving up either player isn’t worth acquiring the 35-year-old.

Would Iguodala’s presence in Boston be beneficial for the team and it’s players in 2019? In all likelihood, it would. However, in order to acquire the former All-Star’s services, the Celtics would have to give up a bit more than what would make sense.

Again, can they put together a package to bring in Andre Iguodala to Boston? Of course! However, the real question is, should they? To put it simply… no.