Friday, February 8th, 2013 at 11:50 am  |  71 responses

Bulls, Raptors Discussed Trade Involving Andrea Bargnani and Carlos Boozer


by Marcel Mutoni / @ marcel_mutoni

According to multiple published reports, Chicago and Toronto have talked about swapping Carlos Boozer and Andrea Bargnani.

The talks haven’t advanced past the exploratory stage, per the reports, but if a trade were to happen, it would likely involve multiple players.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

The Bulls and Raptors engaged in trade talks centered on Carlos Boozer and Andrea Bargnani over a week ago, according to two league sources. [...] A source says they were initiated by the Bulls and initially dismissed because of the Raptors’ desire to land the Lakers’ Pau Gasol. Though talks are not currently active, a source said the Raptors know the trade is available and could expand to include Nate Robinson and John Lucas III. Another source suggested it’s unlikely the Raptors would take on Boozer’s contract, which has $9.1 million more than Bargnani’s over the next two seasons.

Boozer makes $5 million more than Bargnani this season. Coach Tom Thibodeau long has been an advocate of Lucas III, who is playing sparingly for the Raptors. Despite the talks, there are no plans to use the amnesty provision on Boozer this summer. Boozer is having a strong season, but shedding his salary could improve the Bulls’ long-term financial picture.

In addition to helping out their bottom line, the Bulls reportedly covet Bargnani due to his outside shooting ability. On the Toronto end of things, there are serious questions about the Raptors being able to take on any more large salaries.

Andrea Bargnani seems to have worn out his welcome in Toronto, and the Raptors haven’t exactly made it a secret that they’re shopping him. Carlos Boozer, meanwhile, called the rumors “interesting”.

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  • Dagger

    You’re both right.

    Let’s get it out of the way: nothing is worse than Bargnani’s help defense. It’s been laughable since he entered the league, and I’m not sure it will ever improve. Still, last season in particular there were possessions, sometimes even whole games, when Bargnani played effective individual defense in the post against centers. I remember a game against the Spurs last year when Bargnani did a great job on Duncan, to such an extent that I thought he’d finally turned a corner. But, as always, he soon reverted to his usual indifferent form.

    I’m still not sure if Bargnani has it in him to be a consistently average or above-average one-on-one defender in the post, and I’ve totally given up on him doing so as a Raptor. But it’s not insane to think that his talent as a defender is better what his overall stats suggest; if anything that’s even more of an indictment of Bargnani as a professional. Watching him play game after game as a Raptors fan has been the most consistently demoralizing experience I’ve had watching sports. He’s like that bright kid who rarely comes to class, never does his work, and is quickly surpassed by his less talented classmates.

  • Enigmatic

    Haha I try to post a comment on here every few months or so.

  • RKJ92

    That. Was. Beautiful <3

  • RKJ92

    Okur was better lol

  • Lloyd

    Don’t forget his lack of effort on the boards. A 7-footer who averages less than 5 rebounds a game his entire career is just pathetic.

  • Lloyd

    Seems like there’s some positive misconceptions going around the L about Bargs. Hope that keeps up. We could ship him off easier this way! Not for Boozer though.

  • KBM

    bingo was his name o.

  • VanCityBBall

    that was one of the funniest things i have ever heared, until you realize it’s still more reality than joke… then it’s just sad

  • house

    So I really don’t get this trade one bit. One defensively inept is being traded for another defensively inept big. Does this mean Bargs would be taken on by the Bull’s as a project or as future trade bait? Thibs will probably commit murder because Bargnani is so god-awful on the defensive side of the ball.

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    as much as i dislike boozer. i was thinking the same thing.

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    whens his contract end?

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    i dislike boozer, but i would hate to trade for andrea. horrible trade…. i mean.. we got taj gibson tho..

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    i hope chicago doesn’t do this trade

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Gilbert/100001749589586 Mike Gilbert

    theoretically Bargs would space the floor for Rose when he comes back. Boozer has never played great with Rose. Boozer likes to play on the block. Rose is at his best when he has spacing. If Bargs could find a way to play any sort of D te deal would make sense for both teams

  • Irishway’s

    Agreed Tibs will make him a better all around ball player….But admit it this trade is good for the Bullz right now…not down the line.

  • The Philosopher

    It is great to see Enigmatic up here.
    I was worried about him, actually…

  • Redd

    2014

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    hmmmmm… a season of bargnani’s bull.. i dunno..

  • Redd

    2 seasons actually, lol.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000166716900 Anthony Darnello Taylor Jr.

    Yeah at least he rebounded played a lil d and posted up. Not a bad post passer either. Damn I miss watching Okur,Boozer, and Williams do work in the mid to late 2000′s.

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    ahhhh hell naaaaaaah!

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