Brooks 'can't wait' for Grizzlies to trade Iguodala

Andre Iguodala is technically a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. The 36-year-old is listed on their roster, and the team is paying him $17.2 million this season - the last on his current contract.

But Iguodala hasn't made a single appearance since arriving via trade from the Golden State Warriors in July. He and the club agreed he wouldn't report to training camp, and the Grizzlies' front office would explore opportunities to trade him elsewhere.

Evidently, the players who have suited up for Memphis - which is now 25-25 and occupies the eighth seed - are well-aware of Iguodala's spectral presence over their season.

"First time I seen him was on TV talking about us," third-year wing Dillon Brooks said after Sunday's win against the Detroit Pistons, according to the Commercial Appeal's Mark Giannotto. "Andre Iguodala is a great player. I feel like he's doing the right thing for his career, but we don't really care."

"It's not a distraction at all. I laugh at that type of stuff," Brooks added. "A guy that's on our team that doesn't want to be on our team, I can't wait 'til we find a way to trade him so we can play him and show him what really Memphis is about."

Rookie guard Ja Morant, whose rapid ascent toward NBA stardom has salvaged what was once expected to be a difficult Grizzlies season, seemed to echo Brooks' sentiment.

Warriors star Stephen Curry, who won three championships alongside Iguodala, appeared to defend his former teammate on Instagram following Brooks' and Morant's comments.

Morant responded to Curry's post Tuesday morning with a photo of former Warriors star Kevin Durant, who played an instrumental role in helping the team secure back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

Iguodala is reportedly prepared to sit out for the rest of the season if Memphis doesn't move him to one of his desired teams by Thursday's trade deadline.

The Grizzlies have insisted their commitment is to trading Iguodala rather than agreeing to a buyout, sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe.

A buyout would allow Iguodala more flexibility to sign with the team of his choosing. That would include the possibility of joining the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers, the Grizzlies' first-round opponent if the postseason picture ended in its current state.