Nets agree to sign Andrea Bargnani to vets minimum contract

The Nets have agreed to sign former overall No. 1 pick --and former Knick-- Andrea Bargnani to a two year deal. Bargnani, 29, will be paid the veterans minimum this season and will have player option in 2016-17. Thomas Robinson has a similar deal. Like T-Rob, the Italian seven-footer will back up both the center and power forward positions.

#Nets have reached an agreement in principle with free agent F/C Andrea Bargnani, GM Billy King announced today.

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 12, 2015

When Mirza Teletovic agreed to sign with the Phoenix Suns, Billy King said he had a back-up plan.  Bargnani, who has three point range, is apparently that back-up plan.  Several reporters had written over the weekend that the Bargnani was "finalizing" a deal with the Sacramento Kings.

Marc Stein reports that the Nets "swooped in" at the last minute.

Sources told ESPN.com the Kings were actually offering more money over the next two seasons than Brooklyn, but Bargnani preferred the fit with the Nets and opted for a two-year veterans minimum deal that includes a player option to return to free agency after the coming season.

Bargnani, who's been troubled with one injury after another in recent years, played only 29 games last season for the Knicks, averaging 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds while shooting 45.4 percent overall and 36.6 percent from deep.  He hasn't played more than 45 games in the past four years and hasn't played more than 70 since 2009-10.  For his career, which began with his selection as the overall No. 1 pick in 2006, Bargnani has averages of 15 points, 4.8 rebounds and shooting percentages of 43.8 overall and 35.8 from three.

The signing ignited a debate among fans ... and pundits.

Bargnani to BKN is low risk. Key is health as he has missed 160 games the last 3 years. Could replace what Teletovic gave you.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 12, 2015

@BobbyMarks42 Awful defender, doesn't move the ball & has is 30% from 3-point range over last 4 years. Hurts you a lot more than he helps.

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) July 12, 2015

But at least one of his new teammates welcomed him, the Nets other former Knick, Shane Larkin.

Yeahhhh AB! Lol welcome to the squaddddd @AndreaBargnani

— Shane Larkin (@ShaneLarkin_3) July 12, 2015

Bargnani was highly unpopular in New York in part because he was often unavailable and because the Knicks gave up three picks for him, a first rounder next season and two second rounders.

Late Sunday, Bargnani himself confirmed the news.

Glad to join the @BrooklynNets. I'm ready for this new challange. La nuova sfida ha un nome: Brooklyn Nets. Pronto ad accoglierla con voi.

— Andrea Bargnani (@AndreaBargnani) July 13, 2015

He joins Sergey Karasev (Russia) and Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia) on the Nets international contingent.

• Brooklyn Nets come to terms with Andrea Bargnani on 2-year deal, edging out Sacramento Kings - Marc Stein - ESPN New York
• Andrea Bargnani a low-risk gamble for Brooklyn Nets - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• NBA - Kevin Pelton breaks down all free-agent deals from the weekend - ESPN Insider
• Andrea Bargnani signs with Brooklyn Nets - Yaron Weitzman - SB Nation
• Nets agree to deal in principle with 2006 top pick Bargnani - AP
  
• Andrea Bargnani Agrees to a Two-Year Deal With the Nets - Scott Cacciola - New York Times
  
• Nets swoop in and land Knicks’ Bargnani on one-year deal - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Nets sign former Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani - Mitch Abramson - New York Daily News
• Andrea Bargnani agrees to terms with Nets - Rod Boone - Newsday
• Andrea Bargnani moves on to Nets - Steve Popper - The Record
• Nets take flier on former Knick Bargnani - Gregory Hrinya - Examiner
• Andrea Bargnani Latest In Series Of Gambles By Nets - Steve Lichtenstein
  
• Andrea Bargnani is still in the NBA - John Schuhmann - NBA.com
  
• Andrea Bargnani reportedly spurns the Kings, signs with Brooklyn - Kelly Dwyer - Yahoo! Sports
  
• Report: Nets to sign Andrea Bargnani to two-year deal - Benny Nadeau - The Brooklyn Game