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Report: Kings closing in on deal with Andrea Bargnani

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

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Quick and nutritious. Simply delicious.

The Sacramento Kings are closing in on a deal to sign unrestricted free agent and former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani, reports ESPN's Marc Stein.

The Toronto Raptors took a chance on the now 29-year-old in the 2006 NBA Draft, selecting him right before eventual four-time NBA All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge.

The best season of his nine-year career came north of the border in 2011, when he averaged 21.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 44.8 percent from the field. As capable as he proved to be offensively, his defensive woes and poor rebounding for a 7-footer were enough for the fan base to turn on him in a big way.

During the summer of 2013, Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri traded Il Mago to the New York Knicks, landing three players and three draft picks in the deal - a king's ransom for someone everyone seemingly wanted out of town.

An assortment of injuries kept Bargnani out of action for all but 26 games during the 2014-15 campaign, averaging 14.8 points and 4.4 rebounds when he was healthy enough to compete.

This move is the cherry atop the sundae in one wacky offseason for the Kings, who have struck deals with a colorful cast of characters in Bargnani, Rajon Rondo, Kosta Koufos, and Marco Belinelli,

Bargnani, at one point, hadn't ruled out heading overseas to play in Europe next season, but with a deal seemingly in place to become a member of the Kings, it's clear where his immediate future lies.

DeMarcus Cousins will have all the rebounds he desires if paired with Bargnani in the frontcourt, unless head coach George Karl plans to throw Willie Cauley-Stein to the wolves right away. Koufos is also in the mix, although he doesn't stretch the floor quite like Bargnani, a career 35.6-percent 3-point shooter.

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