The Toronto Raptors are on pace to finish second in the Eastern Conference for the second consecutive year. But can the Raptors find a way to get past the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Enter Paul Millsap. According to ESPN's Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst, the Atlanta Hawks could start listening to offers for the All-Star power forward and the Raptors could emerge as one of the favorites to land him. However, Millsap can opt out of his contract at the end of the season, effectively making him a rental.
Toronto was linked to Millsap last season, but did not go through with a deal. They ended up pushing the Cavs to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals with Luis Scola starting at power forward. This season, the Raptors have turned to rookie Pascal Siakam in a starting role with stretch-4 Patrick Patterson getting a lot of playing time as well.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton writes
that the cost for Millsap could be Patterson, Terrence Ross, Jakob Poeltl, Delon Wright and draft picks, which is a steep price to pay for a 31-year-old who can could sign elsewhere at the end of the season. However, Millsap may be the difference between another exit at the hands of the Cavaliers and a spot in the NBA Finals.
What do you think the Raptors should do? Is Millsap the missing piece for Toronto? Vote now!
Millsap is averaging 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Whereas Siakam averages 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game and Patterson averages 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds.
--Sam Henken