<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Knicks appear close to acquiring Andrea Bargnani from Toronto, per source. NY offering Camby, Novak, 2 picks (1st rd/2nd rd).</p>— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardBeckNYT/statuses/351458940921446400">June 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Link With little flexibility to upgrade their roster in free agency, the Knicks are closing in on a deal to acquire Andrea Bargnani, the Toronto Raptors’ jump-shooting 7-footer, according to a person involved in the talks. The Knicks are offering a package built around Marcus Camby, Steve Novak and two future draft picks, one in the first round and one in the second. Several teams have pursued Bargnani, but the Knicks have emerged as the “strong favorites” to land him, and a handshake deal could come soon, the person said.
It's not terrible for the Knicks, I mean they're giving up two bad contracts as well, and Camby's all but done.
It's not a terrible idea for the Knicks. The corpse of Marcus Camby offers them nothing, and Bargnani is at least as good as Novak on the defensive/rebounding side of things. The picks are likely junk anyway, given the Knicks are odds on to make the playoffs. And the Knicks have ditched Novaks 3.7m per year for 3 more years. I would have thought the Raptors might be able to ditch Bargnani and at least either get some talent in return, OR get an expiring contract. Surprised the best deal they can get is a junk first rounder by taking on salary...
Funny to think of New York now trading Marcus Camby back to Toronto. This is the worst spot to be in. Capped out, luxury tax bill, very little room to operate and you're not good enough to be great. You have to hurt your future, moving picks and trash to get upgraded trash.
Camby was actually quite useful not long ago as a Rocket-- then poof. Thanks, Marcus, for delaying your hoops demise by half a season so that the Rockets got a couple of 2nd rounders out of your Bird Rights. And this makes me wonder just how well Pierce and Garnett will work for for Brooklyn. It is not surprising for guys their age to go from decent to useless in just a few months, over an offseason or even over the course of a season (see Camby, Steve Nash, Kidd etc.).