When he signed with the Knicks last year, Marcus Camby said, “Hopefully I can end my career in New York with a championship.” He didn’t say “Hopefully I can spend one year in New York and then continue retracing my career backward by getting traded to the rebuilding Raptors.”
So, predictably, Camby wasn’t exactly thrilled to be included in the Andrea Bargnani trade.
After previously expressing expressing his displeasure with his role last season – playing just three minutes in the playoffs – Camby combined both complaints into a single statement. Camby, via Marc Berman of the New York Post:
“It’s unfortunate that I wasn’t given a meaningful opportunity to contribute last season in New York,” Camby said in the statement. “I was really looking forward to the upcoming year as a chance to show the organization what they missed out on last year, and pushing our team towards the Finals.”
“I have nothing but positive things to say about the city of Toronto and its great fans, having been drafted by the Raptors 17 years ago,” Camby said. “Given that my goal at this point in my career is to have a shot at a championship, however, I’ll have to evaluate my options going forward. I’ve enjoyed a great career and under the right circumstances I hope to continue making an impact in the league.”
If Camby wants to keep his money, good for him. He earned it.
But, more likely than not, the choice between keeping his guaranteed dollars and chasing a championship belongs to him.
Of course, chasing a championship could get complicated. There’s no guarantee a title contender would want to sign him, even for a minimum contract. Plus, one potential suitor, the Knicks, aren’t permitted to sign him for a year following the trade.
Camby is probably best off sucking it up and making his money in Toronto or just retiring.
