On why Andrea Bargnani would opt for a veteran's minimum over a lucrative deal is puzzling but nevertheless, he won't be moving out of the city after opting to sign up with the Brooklyn Nets over the Sacramento Kings.
After hardly being a factor with the New York Knicks owing to injuries, the 7-foot Italian player tries again to recall the deadly skills he once showed when he was with the Toronto Raptors.
Bargnani, 29, ended up with the Knicks on July 10, 2013 in a multiplayer trade. With heavy expectations on his coming, Bargnani did show his capability but would eventually find himself falling short due to various injuries.
Despite his limited appearances, Bargnani managed to put up ideal numbers (19.7 points per game) in the meager 29 games he was able to play in for the Knicks. His shooting likewise improved from the three-point arc (37%) compared to previous years and should be something that the Kings and Nets had their eye on.
Bargnani was actually believed to be on his way to Sacramento who had offered him more money. But to the surprise of many, the Italian opted to join the Nets on a two-year veteran's minimum with a player option for the second season.
If healthy, the Nets can be pretty deadly. With the coming of Bargnani, the Nets get a veteran and a scorer who can hit it from the outside, which should make life easier inside the paint for Brook Lopez.
Such will also broaden the offensive options of the Nets as they try to approach an entirely new season with a different and cost-friendly look.
By agreeing to a veteran's minimum, the Nets can breathe freely as far as salary issues are concerned. After unloading Deron Williams, the Nets have been tightening their belts lately and have only offered lucrative deals to Lopez and Thaddeus Young.
Bargnani's joining also makes one wonder if the Nets are still bent on keeping Joe Johnson in the mix. The Nets did say that they were keeping the veteran All Star but all that was before they inked Bargnani to a deal.
