The Toronto Raptors are looking to add experience to their roster in 2013-2014. The New York Knicks are willing to work a deal with the Raptors that would send Steve Novak, Marcus Camby and future picks in exchange for their forward Andrea Bargnani. Both teams have yet to come to an accord due to salary issues, but both teams are pushing hard for the trade to workout.
For the Raptors, they would get a couple of veterans; reuniting Landry Fields with former teammate and sharp shooter, Novak. Camby would be returning to the franchise that originally drafted him back in 1996 as the second overall pick. The Raptors would receive a crafty veteran with a lot more experience than anybody on their current roster as Camby would play in his 18th year in the league.
The Raptors are young and already have some working parts in their starting five as they possess DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay. DeRozan is one of the more talented guards in the league and Gay is as versatile as they come, possessing a great jumper and the ability to get into the paint.
The one guy who can take advantage of Camby's presence in the locker room is the current center, entering his sophomore campaign in the league, Jonas Valanciunas. The Raptor's first pick in the 2011 NBA draft out of Lithuania, Valanciunas started 57 games, where he averaged 9.7 points, six rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Despite his towering figure at seven feet, rebounding is not Bargnani's forte despite, so Valanciunas' presence was huge for the Raptors.
With Novak, the Raptors would receive one of the game's top three-point shooters. This would help open up the floor for guys like DeRozan and Gay, who can drive to the basket for high percentage shots. Novak has shot over 40 percent in five of his seven years in the league and has averaged almost two threes per game since joining the Knicks in 2011-2012.
For the Knicks, they are looking to add bonuses in the deal which would include a few draft picks in 2016. Currently, the Raptors would do the Knicks a huge favor as New York is looking to make additions without having to spend money, risking doing further damage to their payroll.
