Bargnani on Block?

by Chris Alvino on January 4th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

Mitch Lawrence had this to say today in the Daily News:

“They’ve already changed coaches – when they were 8-9 – so now the Raptors, eight games under .500 as of Friday, might have to start making deals as they continue to underachieve and sink in the East. One rival Eastern Conference GM said that Andrea Bargnani, the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, and Anthony Parker are prime candidates to be moved, as they look to add athleticism on the wings. In the meantime, Jermaine O’Neal has been sidelined with yet another knee injury. The Raptors are second in the NBA in losing games in which they’ve held double-digit leads (seven), with only Indiana (nine) doing it more times.”

That was probably just a Sunday paper page filler, but I have read in multiple spots that Bargnani might be wearing out his welcome in Toronto. As the #1 pick in 2006 Bargnani has not lived up to the billing of being selected that high. He has not been awful but he has not been great either, averaging a modest 11 ppg and 4 rpg in 2.5 seasons. This year he is posting about the same stat line, but is also averaging about 1.5 blocks as well. Bargnani is shooting 36% from beyond the arc but only about 40% from the field, a terrible number for a player that is 6’11.

Parker is a veteran shooting guard that can knock down treys at a good clip. He is unspectacular, but like I just said he can hit the three ball.

So I ask, would giving Bargnani a whirl be worth Donnie’s time? Can D’Antoni’s experience with Euro hoops and his offensive based system be good influences on a player, who at 6’11 appears to be more comfortable 20 feet away from the hoop than at 5 feet? The Knicks do not have wing help to provide to the Raptors, but they do have Eddy Curry. The Raptors can still use help at center, and if Eddy Curry is healthy and productive that might be a match.

Or maybe Donnie can find a third team, i.e. the Bobcats. The Cats are loaded with wing players and want a big man who can play with Okafor. There have been rumors floating that Curry might be used in a deal with the Cats. How about Curry to Charlotte, Parker/ Bargnani to NY, and a player like Gerald Wallace to Toronto? That would probably not get it done on the Knicks’ end, but if Curry can be productive then it might work.

Thoughts?

By the way, that is Gallo to the right. Bargnani is above.

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • BiggieSmalls

    Il Mago (the magician) and Il Gallo (the rooster) in orange and blue..

    Make it happen Donnie..

    But Cupcake Eddy is no where near ready to be moved.

  • JR

    Can the knicks really get that for curry? I’d be happy if they traded curry to TNT for charles barkley just to here him call clyde a knucklehead.

  • http://www.altraps.com/2009/01/05/toronto-raptors-linkage-for-january-4th-through-january-5th/ The AltRaps Blog » Blog Archive » Toronto Raptors Linkage for January 4th through January 5th

    [...] Bargnani on Block? – [...]

  • Chris Alvino

    Like I said, that probably will not get it done on the Knick side. Perhaps if Curry comes back and sows he can still play, then he could be a starting point.

  • DaJoka

    Hey what’s up guys?
    First time posting here. I have to say that Curry should not be involved in any trades with Bargnani. We don’t even know how Curry is going to play when he comes back. Your going off what he did last year. If Curry can play like he did before we had Zach, your talking about a different trade all together. If Curry can average 19 and 7 like he did 2 years ago…we can get a lot more than Andres from the Raptors. I wouldn’t mind having the guy on the Knicks but not for Curry. If that’s the case, let him stay up in Canada or go someplace else.
    I’m really feeling the Lee to Portland deal because we would be getting Bayless, Jordan, Camby and hopefully a pick. If we can get Sergio instead of Jason Hart, Donnie wiould go down as a genius.

  • BiggieSmalls

    welcome over DaJoka.. things role a little more civil over here..

    I’d love Coach D to get a shot at straightening out Il Mago..

    Maybe Donnie can work him in tthe three way scenario with Lee.

    I agree that Curry will be a NYK for the next 12 or so months until he can repair his tattered image.

    Keep em comin,.

  • kkwik2211

    Any idea when Curry is supposed to be ready by?

  • Chris Alvino

    Possibly this road trip.

    Welcome DaJoka…… Big I am with you. I would love to see what Coach D can do with the young Italian. But we cannot forget….. Curry has a boatload of talent. His lazy attitude is a killer, and might be in this league.