DENVER — A healthy Andrea Bargnani finally is putting up big numbers in Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, and it’s putting a pause in what seemed the inevitable: the Italian’s summer departure.
According to an NBA source, Jackson still is a fan and has interest in bringing Bargnani back for the right price because of his length, post defense and ability to score and pass in the structured system. Bargnani’s market value is one of the great mysteries of the summer, pending how he finishes the final 21 games.
Jackson has no power forward or center under contract for next season and a one-year deal is not out of the question. Bargnani’s burdensome contract, which pays him $11.5 million this season, expires July 1. Before he returned Feb. 9 in Miami, there was speculation whether any NBA team would offer him even a minimum deal.
The landscape has changed. Even the Garden fans realize the 7-foot Bargnani has skills for the triangle. When he fouled out with 3:20 left in Saturday’s 92-86 Indiana loss after dropping 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting, he received an appreciative ovation.
“He’s for sure going to get — at least — a one-year minimum deal,’’ one NBA executive told The Post.
It doesn’t hurt Bargnani’s agent is the influential Leon Rose, who also reps Carmelo Anthony.
The rust is finally off Bargnani, who has posted at least 19 points in four of the last five games. He’s stayed healthy for nine straight contests, becoming the featured scorer on a club without the services of on-crutches Anthony and which waived Amar’e Stoudemire. Bargnani’s up to a dozen games with a 13.0 scoring average in 23.8 minutes while hauling in 4.3 rebounds.
Jackson pegged Bargnani as an opening-day starter because he’s an excellent mid-range shooter in an offense that doesn’t promote the 3-pointer. Despite his reputation as a terrific deep threat when he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2006, Bargnani never became consistent from 3-point range.
Discussing the future is a sore subject for Bargnani, though he has stated multiple times he wants to play in the NBA next season and not drift back to Europe.
Asked if he sees himself as a Knick next season, Bargnani, who lives in a nice apartment high-rise in White Plains, said: “I don’t think it is the place or time to talk about the future. The summer is in front. I’m very focused on finishing the season with the Knicks. I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“It’s just about the Knicks and this season and my teammates. It’s all about the team right now.’’
Bargnani suffered season-ending torn elbow ligaments in January 2014, then didn’t make his season debut under coach Derek Fisher until New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles because of calf and hamstring strains. After two games, he was back on the shelf.
“We’ve only had short sample size of Andrea this season,’’ Fisher said. “I just think he’s continuing to get more comfortable playing basketball again. Big guys with Andrea’s size to be out of basketball from January 2014 to February 2015, that’s a long time not to play games night in and night out. I think he’ll have a bump in the road from time to time, but he’s not doing anything he’s not capable of doing. His ceiling can continue to rise if he stays healthy and keeps working hard. He’s enjoying being out on the floor.’’
His stinker game occurred against Sacramento on Tuesday, when he scored just three points without a rebound in 18 minutes. There are times his rotations are poor as a help defender. But Jackson still likes his size, reach and decent rebounding ability. He has high shoulders and long arms — much like “Action Jackson’’ when he played as a role-playing defensive power forward. Bargnani’s actually been measured closer to 7-1.
“He’s too much of a specialist,’’ one league personnel director said. “He’s been healthy too small of a period. I could see him as a minimum guy with low risk to a team on a short-term deal.’’
The Knicks, at a league-worst 12-49, still have 21 games left and begin a five-game Western trip Monday against the Nuggets with a mostly unrecognizable roster bereft of talent. Bargnani now fronts the marquee.
“It’s a big challenge, but everyone’s engaged,’’ Bargnani said. “Everyone’s trying to [finish] the season as best as possible.’’