The Toronto Raptors are likely to revive trade talks for several players who were linked to the team this offseason, especially Orlando Magic's Serge Ibaka, Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap and Denver Nuggets' Kenneth Faried.
Expectations will be a lot higher for the Raptors this coming season after reaching their first ever Eastern Conference finals stint last season.
The return of DeMar DeRozan assures stability in the backcourt with running-mate Kyle Lowry, but other than re-signing their top scorer, the Raps weren't able to make a huge impact in the free-agency market.
Instead of netting Pau Gasol or Dwight Howard, Toronto settled in using their mid-level exception to sign stretch-forward Jarred Sullinger.
He's expected to compete with Patrick Paterson for the spot left void by Louis Scola. The Argentine veteran averaged 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21 minutes per contest at the power forward slot last season.
While Sullinger and Patterson are solid NBA players, neither is a game-changer. Sullinger averaged 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds over four seasons with the Boston Celtics, providing a bit of outside shooting and interior presence.
Patterson also offers the same skill-set, shooting 37 percent from the three-point territory throughout his career. But like Sullinger, He was never a consistent rim protector, scorer or rebounder.
-Serge Ibaka, who was reportedly offered to the Raptors before the OKC Thunder decided to trade him to the Magic, has been one of the premier shot blockers in the league, averaging 2.5 blocks per game over his seven-year career.
Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri reportedly coveted the Congo-born rim protector but had to back down from the deal because of Thunder's pricy demands. Still, expect the Raps to be one of the frontrunner should the soon-to-be free-agent Ibaka re-enters the trading block.
-Paul Millsap is another player the Raptors were targeting during the free-agency season. The 31-year old veteran has been a consistent scorer and rebounder for the Hawks, averaging at least 16 points and 8 rebounds per game over three seasons in Atlanta.
The Raptors were trying to work out a trade for Millsap, but again Ujiri was iffy in giving too much for a player who is set to hit the free-agency market next summer. Nevertheless, Toronto will be monitoring Millsap situation between now and February trade deadline.
-Kenneth Faried has been on the Raptors radar for the last two years. And why not? The current Raps general manager was responsible in bringing Faried (22nd overall in 2011 Draft) to Denver during his tenure as the team's top executive.
It has been a rough past two years for Faried, but he continues to be a workhorse on both ends of the floor, averaging at least 12 points and 8 rebounds per game. Expect Faried to be on the Raptors wish-list every time his name surfaces on the trading block.