There appears to still be a bad taste in the mouths of the Toronto Raptors that is motivating their 2014 season. The team looked poised to make a real run in the 2014 postseason until the Brooklyn Nets got in their way. Now the team is trying to repeat the success and go further in the upcoming season. That effort could require another roster upgrade come mid-season and the Raptors are reportedly looking a few solid names.
According to Joel Brigham of BasketballInsiders.com, the Raptors are looking for an upgrade at the power forward position that can help them on defense for a late-season run. Right now, there are not a lot of top-talent players available, but the Raptors might have a few assets that could entice teams to give up an expiring contract. One player that could become a priority for the team is Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls.
Gibson has been involved in several trade rumors so far this offseason. The power forward is not a free agent until 2017, but his playing time is about to get a lot smaller in the coming season. Gibson was crucial for the Bulls coming off the bench, but now the team has Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic which makes Gibson expendable. He remained on the roster after the failed Kevin Love deal, but that might not last. Gibson would be ideal for the Raptors, but he would cost them.
Zach Lowe of Grantland.com, predicted that if the Raptors are going to make a trade, they will likely offer up the contracts of players like Landry Fields and Chuck Hayes. General manager Masai Ujiri has done a solid job of stockpiling draft picks for this kind of situation but neither Fields or Hayes are worth enough to get Gibson. Chicago would likely request one of the Raptors' bigger stars in Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan or Terrence Ross. The chances of that happening are slim to absolutely never.
One realistic option for Toronto could be Jeff Green, who Lowe believes is still a quality trade and might be worth the package the Raptors are willing to part with. Green would certainly add size to the Raptors, but he fits better at the small forward position, something the Raptors are pretty deep in at the moment. Is he a better upgrade from Ross or DeRozan? Green is another player that will not come totally cheap and the Raptors need to decide who is worth the price.
