Andrea Bargnani to the Knicks

Bargnani to the Knicks was announced a couple of days after the Nets traded for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The trade becomes official July 13^th. The trade is Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, Quentin Richardson and the Knicks first round pick in the 2016 draft. The Knicks get in return, Andrea Bargnani.

Breaking it down: Quickly, let’s look at the Raptors. They get Novak and Richardson, two players that won’t make a difference. They get Marcus Camby, who will most likely get his contract bought out and go to a contending team. This was all about dumping Bargnani’s contract if he wasn’t traded; the Raptors would have amnestied him. The Key in this deal is the 2016 first round draft pick.  (I still don’t get why the Knicks gave up a first round draft pick). The Knicks will say no big deal but what if Carmelo opts out and leaves the Knicks? The Knicks would have all the cap space in the world for the 2015 free agency, but if they strikeout again like they did when LeBron was a free agent, that first round pick could become a lottery pick.

          For the Knicks this trade helps with Salary, now Bargnani, Stoudemire, and Chandler contracts all coming off the books in the same year.

On The Court: Over the last two seasons, Bargnani has played in a total of 66 games. His heart has been questioned a lot by the Toronto fans and media. A change of scenery will most likely help Bargnani, but how much? We keep hearing from the Knicks and the Knick’s media that he will help out with the floor spacing and knock down threes. That is false. Over the last two years he has shot well below the NBA 3 point average. In 2011-2012 he shot 29.6% on 115 attempts and this past season he shot 30.9% on 123 attempts.  If this trade works, Bargnani will need to find his three point stroke.

          This trade opens up some questions about the Knicks rotation for the upcoming season. First who starts at the four? Is it Bargnani, STAT, or Carmelo? I believe Carmelo moves back to the 3 which was not the best lineup for the Knicks last year. I think Bargnani starts and STAT gets put on a minute’s restriction.  Mike Woodson has said the Knicks will look for a back-up center and that STAT and Bargnani won’t be playing center. Knick fans breathe; just think of a front court of Melo, STAT, and Bargnani that could be the worst front court in the NBA.

Stay tuned for more!