NBA Trade Rumors: Will Andrea Bargnani Still Be A Toronto Raptor After The NBA Trade Deadline? (Poll)

NBA Trade Rumors: Will Andrea Bargnani Still Be A Toronto Raptor After The NBA Trade Deadline? (Poll) by Chris Walder

Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It’s painfully obvious that the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Bobcats are looking to get rid of their overpaid, underachieving “stars” before the February 21st trade deadline, but swapping players and contracts with each other makes absolutely no sense for either team.

According to a report by Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Bobcats strong desire to move shooting guard Ben Gordon has made them a potential suitor for former number one overall pick Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors.

All-Star Weekend trade rumble: Charlotte's growing determination to move Ben Gordon has presented Toronto w/another Andrea Bargnani suitor — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 16, 2013

Through 47 games for Charlotte, Ben Gordon is averaging 12.6 points while shooting 40.6% from three-point range.

Bargnani, who has played in just 25 games this season due to injury, is averaging 14.8 points and 3.9 rebounds a game, which are his lowest numbers since his rookie year.

This trade rumor smells of something fierce.

The Raptors owe Andrea $33 million until the end of the 2014-15 season, while Charlotte is on the books with Gordon for $25 million over the next two years.

While Gordon’s contract is one-year shorter, taking on his salary wouldn’t save Toronto enough money to make this deal worthwhile.

What use would the Raptors have for Ben Gordon anyways?

It’s not as if the team is lacking in wings at the moment, as Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Alan Anderson and rookie Terrence Ross are all taking up minutes at the two and three spots.

His recent altercations with Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap also creates huge question marks on his willingness to play for a struggling team. Charlotte currently owns the worst record in the NBA at 12-40, which is still 9.5 games behind the 21-32 Raptors.

Acquiring Gordon would make sense for a playoff team looking to add some scoring to its second-unit. With the Raptors continuing their rebuilding process by building around a young core of guys with a world of potential, bringing Ben Gordon aboard wouldn’t make a lick of sense.

There isn’t a lot to be desired with Andrea Bargnani at the moment either. He’s missed 79 games in the last two-plus years, he’s an incredibly inefficient rebounder for his size (4.9 career average), and his defensive liabilities are the stuff of legends. His main selling point is his ability to spread the defense with his perimeter shot, but he’s only shooting 40% from the field and less than 30% from behind-the-arc this season.

Reports suggest that neither team is jumping at the idea of making this move, and rightfully so. No one truly benefits on either side.

There isn’t one good reason to be excited about this potential deal.

Stay clear.

Chris Walder is the Editor of Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports