Last year, Patrick Patterson declared the Raptors’ starting power-forward job his to lose.
Well, he lost it.
Luis Scola started most of the regular season before Toronto tinkered in the playoffs. Patterson claimed the job. Then, the Raptors turned to DeMarre Carroll with Norman Powel in a small-ball lineup. Finally, Toronto reverted back to Scola.
A year later, there’s still no clear, great option at the position. Scola went to the Nets. Patterson returns. Pascal Siakam and Jarrod Uthoff are rookies. First man up: Newly signed Jared Sullinger.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey, via Doug Smith of the Toronto Star:
If Sullinger’s bar is defensive, he’ll have a tough time clearing it. He neither protects the rim nor moves well on the perimeter – making him similar to Scola. But Scola got the job last year with similar contributions.
Sullinger rebounds well, and he has some shooting range, though he hasn’t been selective enough with it.
Patterson’s ability to defend the pick-and-roll might make him a better fit next to Jonas Valanciunas, especially if Patterson has confidence in his 3-point shot.
There should be a place for Sullinger in the rotation, but if he’s starting at power forward, that speaks to a lack of quality options.