NBA Trade Rumors: Toronto Raptors Actively Shopping Andrea Bargnani
Andrea Bargnani was bothered by injuries this season, and his underwhelming play has many Toronto Raptors fans wishing the former top overall pick of the NBA draft was shipped out of town. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, that will be precisely one of the first things the team’s new GM Masai Ujiri will address.
First order of biz for new Raps GM Masai Ujiri: Word is he'll shop Andrea Bargnani everywhere he can in hopes of moving him before July 1
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 1, 2013
The Raptors have been patient with Andrea, but it has become blatantly clear that he is not the type of player you build a franchise around. While Bargnani doesn’t seem to have much value as of right now, coming back healthy next season could probably solve that issue.
Still, moving Bargnani this summer would be the preferable option. The problem is not only Bargnani’s recent decline, but also his contract. The Italian big man has two years and $23 million left on his current deal, and it is tough to imagine the Raptors moving him without taking a bad contract in return. However unlikely it may seem, Ujiri is definitely a guy that could work his magic and find a good deal for Toronto.
Ujiri is mostly known for being forced to trade Carmelo Anthony and swinging a deal that landed a lot of nice pieces in Denver. Bargnani is unique in the way that he has a great shooting touch as a big man, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Raptors’ new GM managed to convince another team to take Bargnani off his hands.
Twitter: @VytisLasaitis