HoopsHype.com Rumors

Carlos Boozer answered questions about the Bulls having preliminary discussions with Toronto about a trade that would send him to the Raptors for Andrea Bargnani and then struggled to keep up with energetic Denver forward Kenneth Faried, who had 21 points and 12 rebounds despite sitting out the fourth quarter. “Interesting,” Boozer said when told of the report, before adding: “That’s part of the business this time of year. I can’t worry about things that may or may not happen.” Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have engaged in exploratory trade discussions on a deal that would swap the Bulls' Carlos Boozer for the Raptors' Andrea Bargnani, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Other players with smaller contracts would have to be added to the deal to make the salary-cap math work, should talks indeed progress to a more serious level, but sources told ESPN.com on Thursday that both teams have given consideration to the move. From Chicago's perspective, sources said, Bargnani's arrival could help address their glaring lack of 3-point shooting and brighten the overall look of its payroll, given that the Italian forward makes $5 million less than Boozer this season. Despite his well-chronicled defensive deficiencies, Bargnani would figure to be an effective pick-and-roll partner for Derrick Rose, once Rose makes his expected return from knee surgery after the All-Star break. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

Marc Stein: Just going online: ESPN sources say Bulls & Raptors have had exploratory talks on potential trade featuring Carlos Boozer & Andrea Bargnani. Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

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, fresh off acquiring Gay from Memphis last week, have been openly shopping Bargnani, who resumed the most disappointing season of his career Wednesday night after missing 26 games with an elbow injury. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

Bargnani returned from a 26-game absence caused by a torn ligament in his elbow against the Celtics. When he entered the game, there were audible boos to go along with cheers. Coach Dwane Casey expressed discontent with the jeers on Wednesday, and did so again on Thursday. “I was disappointed a little bit in the fans booing him,” Casey said. “This kid had a torn tendon. It’s not like he had a backache or a headache or a toothache. He had a torn tendon in his arm, a legit injury. I was concerned about that. He was fine. He bounced back. He used it as a chip on his shoulder, which I like. Fans can boo who they want to. This kid, he responded last night.” National Post

Toronto Raptors, Dwane Casey, Andrea Bargnani 

Peter Vecsey: Spoke 2 guy unaffiliated w Raptors but has inside knowledge of management mindset. Says definitely trying 2 deal Bargnani. ? is, can they? Twitter @PeterVecsey1

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Andrea Bargnani 

Raptors president Bryan Colangelo, in the wake of the Gay trade, is now openly acknowledging that he's shopping former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani. The Lakers' interest in Bargnani remains a matter of debate in the midst of the Italian's worst-ever season by far, but the not-for-public-consumption message that continues to emanate from Canada is that Toronto remains intent on pursuing Gasol even after trading for Gay. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Pau Gasol, Andrea Bargnani 

At a news conference Friday, Colangelo acknowledged that the Raptors are prepared to stray into luxury-tax territory in the "right transaction." One source close to the situation says Gasol is a guy who fits those parameters, depending on the rest of potential trade principals besides Bargnani. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Pau Gasol, Andrea Bargnani 

If you believe Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo, multiple teams are keeping close tabs on Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani. Out since mid-December with a right elbow injury, he's expected back before the trade deadline. While Colangelo could be telling the truth, two league sources said they haven't heard the Wolves attached to such a scenario. One scoffed at the mere thought of Bargnani in Minnesota. The other didn't totally dismiss it. The former 2006 No. 1 overall pick has two years and $23 million left on his contract after this season. 1500 ESPN

Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Bryan Colangelo, Andrea Bargnani 

It has been obvious for some time that it is time for Bargnani to move on, for his sake and for the Raptors, and Colangelo indicated a move could happen soon, though it is not a certainty. “Andrea is a player that has definitely garnered interest. Unfortunately when he gets hurt that takes him off the market,” Colangelo explained after breaking down the Gay trade to reporters. “That’s not to say we’re going to trade Andrea … He’s a unique talent, but sometimes a change of address is not bad. I’m not saying he’s asked for a trade, but he would certainly not fight or resist a situation if it was the right situation.” Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Bryan Colangelo, Andrea Bargnani 

“Right now there’s no assurances we trade Andrea. Right now, the goal and the focus is to get him back healthy on the court and let him contribute to this team and we’ll see where things go,” Colangelo said. Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Bryan Colangelo, Andrea Bargnani 

Eric Koreen: Colangelo told NBA TV he's shopping Andrea Bargnani. Has talked with agent about moving him, but won't just trade him to trade him. Twitter @ekoreen

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Andrea Bargnani 

Eric Koreen: "I'm not saying he's asked for a trade, but he certainly would not fight or resist a [new] situation..." Twitter @ekoreen

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Andrea Bargnani 

Tim Chisholm: Bryan Colangelo says he’s not done dealing. No one is shocked. Twitter @timpchisholm

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Andrea Bargnani 

A list of players whose names were mentioned this week as availables, with more surely to come, alongside the long-available Andrea Bargnani in Toronto: Cleveland's Omri Casspi, Houston's Cole Aldrich, Milwaukee's Samuel Dalembert, Drew Gooden and Beno Udrih and San Antonio's DeJuan Blair. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Beno Udrih, Samuel Dalembert, DeJuan Blair, Cole Aldrich, Drew Gooden, Omri Casspi, Andrea Bargnani 

Team executives involved in exploratory trade talks report that the Knicks (Amar'e Stoudemire), Lakers (Pau Gasol), Raptors (Bargnani) and Celtics (Paul Pierce) are open to discussing their high-profile names. In every case but one, the early indications are that none could be moved without a bad contract going back in return. CBSSports.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Paul Pierce, Trade, Amare Stoudemire, Pau Gasol, Andrea Bargnani 

Mitchell believes this could be one reason why Bargnani hasn't turned out to be the franchise player some thought he could become. "I wasn't allowed to coach Andrea the same way I was allowed to coach Jose (Calderon)," Mitchell told Tim & Sid on Sportsnet 590 The Fan on Wednesday. "I was a hard ass on Jose; I was hard on him, but look at the type of player he turned out to be. "I was not allowed to be that tough on Andrea because within the organization we felt he couldn't take it. And my whole thing was if he can't take it then we can't build around him. And no one thought Jose could take it, and Jose did." SportsNet

Toronto Raptors, Sam Mitchell, Andrea Bargnani 

Mitchell added that it was determined early in the process that he should go easy on Bargnani. "I think because he was the No. 1 pick and a lot was invested in him, I just think people in the organization thought my coaching style would be too tough on Andrea." SportsNet

Toronto Raptors, Sam Mitchell, Andrea Bargnani 

Mitchell agrees to some extent, but said the Raptors ultimately made the best decision for them at the time. "That was a tough draft. I believe in that draft if Brandon Roy didn't have the knee issues he would have been the No. 1 pick, but the reason we passed on Brandon Roy is the reason you see now, his knees," Mitchell explained. "I'm not disappointed from the standpoint that we took Andrea, but I'm disappointed in that Andrea has yet to reach the potential he has because … Andrea has all-star type talent. He just hasn't played up to it yet. SportsNet

Toronto Raptors, Sam Mitchell, Andrea Bargnani 

League sources say it would be almost impossible to move Bargnani and the three years and $32.25 million remaining on his deal until he returns and proves the elbow isn’t going to be a problem. HoopsWorld

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Andrea Bargnani