Toronto Raptors NBA Trade Rumors: Raptors Also Interested in Taj Gibson Before They Acquired Serge Ibaka
Basketball enthusiasts always knew the Toronto Raptors might need to add a power forward if they want to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers and come out on top in the Easter Conference. The offseason acquisition of Jared Sullinger was supposed to add some depth to the position, but a foot injury has kept him out of the lineup. Patrick Patterson, Pascal Siakam, Lucas Nogueira and Jakob Poeltl have all played at the power forward position, but they haven't been able to contribute consistently all season long.
Well, it appears that the Raptors might have found the answer to their problems when they acquired Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round draft pick. But before they got Ibaka, Sean Deveney of The Sporting News said Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson was on their radar as well.
Will they still add another big man after acquiring Ibaka? It may seem unlikely now, but the Raptors are still looking for ways to upgrade their team before the trade deadline. They are reportedly keeping an eye on Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, so maybe Gibson will still end up in Toronto. Gibson may not have the same range as Ibaka, but he is a solid midrange shooter and he is also a good defender.
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Meanwhile, in a press conference confirming the team's acquisition of Ibaka, Raptors president Masai Ujiri talked about the need to strengthen the position.
"We're at that point where everybody knows that it's not rocket science, that (the power forward spot) was a missing link in our team ... We needed a couple of guys in that position, a prime guy in that position, and he's one of the better power forwards in the league," he said, according to theScore.com.
Ibaka should fit in quite well in the starting lineup since he can stretch the floor and help Jonas Valančiūnas protect the paint on the other end.
