Andrea Bargnani has hired new representation, according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops, who reports (via Twitter) that the former first overall pick has signed with agent Guillermo Bermejo of You First Sports. Bargnani was previously represented by Leon Rose of CAA.
The agent change for Bargnani comes on the heels of his departure from the Nets earlier this year. After agreeing to a buyout with Brooklyn, Bargnani later explained that he was promised a more significant role when he signed with the Nets, and since he wasn’t receiving the playing time he expected, it made more sense to part ways with the club than remain unhappy.
While Rose typically focuses on negotiating contracts for NBA players, Bermejo and You First Sports have plenty of international connections, so the agency seems like a good fit for Bargnani as he contemplates where to play in 2016/17.
According to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando, Bargnani recently told La Gazzetta dello Sport that “the NBA door for me is not closed,” but the Italian big man figures to draw plenty of interest from teams overseas, and would likely have an opportunity to play a more significant role for a European club than he would for an NBA team.
Bargnani, 30, averaged a career-worst 6.6 points per game in just 13.8 minutes per contest during his 46 appearances with the Nets last season. Still, he reportedly received contract offers from the Italian club Olimpia Milano and Turkey’s Galatasaray, among others, after he left Brooklyn. He opted to turn down those offers, waiting until the offseason to find a new team.
Changing agents? He’d be better off changing his game? Better yet his name! He’s awful. A career wasted.