NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors expected to keep Patrick Patterson

Apr 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) reacts after hitting a three-pointer against the Brooklyn Nets in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Nets beat the Raptors 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Raptors were one of the most improved teams in the league. They got off to a terrible start, but took off after trading forward Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings.

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The Raptors got a couple of nice pieces in return for Gay, including forward Patrick Patterson, who was once the 14th-overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. Patterson, who became a key contributor to the Raptors, is set to become a restricted free agent.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes Patterson’s range is about the $4.3 million his qualifying offer is worth and thinks the Raptors would be wise to work out a deal with Patterson.

"The Raptors credit their swing to the playoffs to their much improved bench this season. After trading Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings the Raptors got a handful of bench players in return that really changed the complexion of the team and while Patterson didn’t play a huge role, he is considered a valuable asset for the Raptors.The question for Patterson is his offer, $4.3 million seems like his range. So do the Raptors issue it and see what the market brings back or do they simply try and work out a deal in that kind of price range?Keeping Patterson seems like a smart move, the question becomes how much and does it happen after a trip through restricted free agency."

Of course, Patterson could hit the open market and sign an offer sheet that prices him out of the Raptors’ range.

Patterson averaged 8.5 points 5.3 rebounds per game last season. He had better numbers with the Raptors than the Kings, putting up 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game after the trade.

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