Iguodala: I never said I 'didn't want to play' with Grizzlies

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors looks on before Game One of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE
Garrett Ellwood / National Basketball Association / Getty

Andre Iguodala didn't play a single game for the Memphis Grizzlies before being dealt to the Miami Heat last week. The 36-year-old, who was acquired by Memphis last offseason, reached a mutual agreement with the Grizzlies that allowed the forward to sit out games until a trade was made.

However, Iguodala said it wasn't his idea not to suit up for the organization.

"It was brought to me," Iguodala told The Athletic's Sam Amick of the arrangement that was in place with the Grizzlies.

"The (Warriors) trade happens, and it’s brought to me, (and he's told), 'Hey, we know you’re coming from this situation and, you know, it may not be ideal for you,'" he continued.

Iguodala drew criticism from some members of the eighth-seeded Grizzlies for sitting out games, including Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant, who both took shots at the 2015 Finals MVP through social media.

The veteran swingman says he wasn't bothered by Brooks' and Morant's social media antics, and he attempted to clarify misconceptions about his time in Memphis.

"I never approached anyone to say, 'Hey, this is not somewhere that I want to be, and I’m not going to show up.' That never occurred," Iguodala said.

"I never stated that I wasn’t going to play there, and I never stated that I didn’t want to play with those guys," he added.

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