Kenneth Faried (Photo : Ethan Miller | Getty Images Sport)
The Toronto Raptors are in the rumor mill because of their dilemma at the power forward position.
The departure of Amir Johnson has hurt their roster more than they thought as they struggle to find a starting power forward.
In the meantime, pundits seem to think that Toronto will have to choose between their two wingmen-Terrence Ross and DeMar DeRozan.
DD has already emerged and is due for a big payout with his impending free agency. In contrast, the Raptors are admittedly disappointed with Ross as Hoops Habit stated.
"They didn't take him 8th overall back in 2012 for nothing. Toronto has been patient, waiting for that top 10 pick to emerge, and he just hasn't shown up."
The article also stated that Ross is now expendable, as "(DeMarre Carroll) has replaced Ross as the starting wing-buddy of DeMar DeRozan." Hoops Habit reasoned that acquiring Carroll is "a loud warning shot to Ross and fans that the mercurial Tdot Flight might soon be soaring his way out of Tdot."
Thus, it was proposed by the Raptors Rapture fansite to use Ross to get a power forward upgrade. As of now, the "four" position is occupied by capable back-up veterans Patrick Patterson, Luis Scola and "draft bust" Anthony Bennett fighting for a second chance.
The idea is to use Ross to upgrade their best PF to a real starter. It has speculated that the Denver Nuggets might make a fire sale to rebuild and some of the star players may not buy into that, including Raptors GM Masai Ujiri draftee Kenneth Faried.
"Ujiri has close ties with Faried from his Denver days and this pickup would provide much needed rebounding help for the Raptors," RR reasoned. "The Nuggets are one of the most desperate teams in the NBA right now because all their best assets want out and they have a semi-formidable core at best."
The Nuggets could take a package of Ross, Patterson and Lucas Nogueira since they don't have the urgency to win now, and that would also give them multiple assets to build on. They would also let go of Kenneth Faried who may become disgruntled later in the season.
