Andre Bargnani is well aware of where he stands with the New York Knicks. The forward has been the subject of trade rumors for the better part of a year, but with no deal done and injuries running wild, Bargnani has a chance to prove himself for the future by carrying the team in the final weeks of the regular season. Just weeks ago, Bargnani was considered good as gone, but could a return in 2015 actually be in the works?
According to the New York Post, Phil Jackson remains a fan of Bargnani and if the forward can finish the year strong, he has a real shot at returning. Of course, most NBA sources are reporting that while Jackson likes the idea of keeping Bargnani around, the forward must agree to a much smaller contract that than the $11.5 million he is currently earning now. With 21 games left in the season, the forward is in a permanent audition that could either really help his NBA future or likely end it.
At the moment, Bargnani appears to be healthy and fitting in well with the Knicks' triangle offense. He has put up 19 points in four of his last five games. He is now the featured scorer with Carmelo Anthony out and Jose Calderon potentially done as well. The future for the forward has been up in the air for some time. Injuries have all but killed his tenure with the Knicks. Most believed he was not even worth a minimum contract after his current deal expires. But he is playing well and holding the Knicks together which has people like Jackson thinking otherwise. Bargnani remains hopeful there is a future for him.
"I don't think it is the place or time to talk about the future," Bargnani said, via the New York Post. "The summer is in front. I'm very focused on finishing the season with the Knicks. I don't know what's going to happen. It's just about the Knicks and this season and my teammates. It's all about the team right now.''
The Knicks have big plans for free agency. They will chasing players like Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol and Greg Monroe. The issue is that a lot of other teams have the same exact wishlist. Bringing back Bargnani could be a low risk, high reward type deal if he can really improve in these final games. There would be no harm in bringing him back on a two-year deal with an easy cap hit.