Reports surfaced Sunday evening that the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors are close to an agreement that would send their 7’0” Italian big man, Andrea Bargnani, to the Knicks in exchange for Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, and 1st and 2nd round draft picks. Bargnani has been the topic of the majority of trade talks coming out of Toronto, since before the trade deadline, and it seems as though they’ve finally found a buyer.
Former top pick Bargnani, who is only 27, will give Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks another scoring option at the forward/center position (although still hearing “bust” murmurs around the league). Bargnani, at 7 feet tall, is known for his ability to stroke from the distance (and shoot with either hand from the high post). The two teams will swap marksman, as Toronto receives former fan favorite Steve Novak (who hit 149 3-pointers in 2013).
Although there is a nice amount of talent being swapped here, this trade appears to be more of a financial move for both teams. Toronto will likely pick up the $4M+ (per year) Camby is owed through 2015, and likewise, the Knicks will owe Bargnani almost $23M over the next two years.
