NBA Trade Rumors: Toronto Raptors Offering Andrea Bargnani for Los Angeles Clippers Caron Butler?

While it’s been reported that the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have been in talks to make a trade, the vast majority of those rumors have been centered around a possible Eric Bledsoe/DeMar DeRozan swap. And while that still may happen, the more likely trade to take place would be Caron Butler heading to Toronto in exchange for former number one overall pick Andrea Bargnani, who the Raptors have been shopping almost endlessly.

Per ESPN’s Marc Stein:

"So one possible outcome to the Clippers-Raptors talks, sources said, is a smaller trade headlined by Bargnani going to L.A. in exchange for Caron Butler, enabling the Clippers to save Bledsoe for a bigger trade — or, perhaps, keeping him if Rivers holds firm."

The trade makes obvious sense for the Raptors. With Bargnani still under contract for the next two seasons for around $22 million dollars, it’s the perfect way to get out of the deal and acquire a contract that expires at the end of the upcoming season. For the Clippers, while it’s a talent upgrade, you have to wonder if it’s worth it – at least from a financial standpoint. The Clippers are expected to be on the border of the tax threshold and acquiring Bargnani could put them over, something they’d obviously like to avoid.