Andrea Bargnani’s name has been constantly brought up in trade rumors this season, intensifying each time the Lakers Pau Gasol has a bad game, but the Italian forward says he’s not worried about things outside of his control. Stories have circulated that the Raptors are trying to off-load Bargnani to Los Angeles for Gasol. Unlike Gasol, who last year admitted that the uncertainty surrounding his future affected him, Bargnani insists that he understands it’s all a part of being a professional basketball player.
“No, of course it doesn’t affect me, but I think it does make sense on this team,” he said. “Who else would you blame? I don’t really know what you want me to answer. Of course I hear the trade rumours, but trades are part of the job. Since the first day I joined this team seven years ago, I knew I could be traded. That’s the reality. From Day 1 you know that can happen at any time.
“It’s something you don’t control, so there’s no purpose in being prepared for it or getting prepared for it,” he said. “The only thing you really care about is trying to play good for yourself and for the team. That’s what you have to prepare for. A trade? Be prepared or not prepared, it doesn’t make you a better player or a worse player. If it’s going to happen, it happens. If it doesn’t, I mean it’s not something you really think about, at least I don’t think about it.”