Friday, February 8, 2013
Reaction to Boozer-Bargnani report
By Nick Borges
Thursday night ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors had held trade discussions regarding Carlos Boozer and Andrea Bargnani. Of course there was swift reaction from the media.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes: "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."
Johnson also added that Boozer will likely not be waived via the amnesty rule in July should the Bulls not deal the power forward.
Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald adds: "A Boozer trade would open a starting spot for Taj Gibson and lessen the need to deal Luol Deng — both positive achievements for the Bulls."
Marc Stein
Bulls mull Bargnani deal"The biggest impediment to such a trade, sources said, is believed to be whether Toronto can realistically afford having both Rudy Gay and Boozer on its payroll beyond this season. ... the Raptors are known to be actively searching for a new home for Bargnani, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft but has gradually fallen out of favor with Raptors fans after Toronto's four consecutive seasons out of the playoffs. The Raptors' list of potential trade partners is likely to be limited, however, because Bargnani -- on top of his on-court struggles this season -- has two years left on his contract after this one, valued at slightly more than $22 million total."
