The Raptors are expected to step on the gas from this point forward as they make a serious run at the Cavs.
Toronto (33-16 heading into tonight's game in Portland) is 2.5 games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers (35-13) but could overtake the star-studded Cavs with some player tweaks. And the apparent position they need to beef up is forward.
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Patrick Patterson is trying to hold fort but is apparently not enough. Could acquiring Markieff Morris from the Suns make a difference? The Raptors are rumored to be interested in the 6-10 big man.
If a deal gets done before the Feb. 18 trade deadline, Morris should be a pretty happy person. It would fulfill his offseason request to play alongside Kyle Lowry and his desire to bolt the Suns after they traded his twin brother.
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But would adding Morris be beneficial for Dwane Casey and company?
Morris has been far from the same player we saw last year, largely attributed to his internal conflict with the Suns. Coincidentally, he did put up an outstanding performance against the Raptors last Tuesday, finishing with 30 points and 11 rebounds in a 107-94 loss.
The performance comes after the recent dismissal of coach Jeff Hornacek, who was replaced on an interim basis by former assistant coach Earl Watson.
Rather than see it as a sign of good things to come, many believe it was Morris trying to make an impression as the trade deadline nears, per CBS Sports.
So are the Raptors biting? Is he the missing link that can help the team level the playing ground against the Cavaliers?
There are some who question Morris because he's a poor rebounder and his tendency to hold the ball. Though he offers Casey a lot of flexibility, the Raptors could end up disrupting team chemistry by bringing Morris in.
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