NBA Trade Rumors: Best Landing Spots for Taj Gibson

Dec 25, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of a NBA basketball game on Christmas at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts with Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) and Toronto Raptors power forward Patrick Patterson (54) against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Raptors defeated the Nets 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have invested the future of the organization in the trio of DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and Jonas Valanciunas. That group has led Toronto to back-to-back division titles, but has lost in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on both occasions.

Taj Gibson is the type of player whom Masai Ujiri has been attempting to place at power forward since he arrived in Toronto.

Gibson doesn’t have 3-point range, but he’s converting 44.8 percent of his jump shots from 16-to-23 feet in 2015-16—an aspect of his game that has been solid, but is becoming a true strength. For what it’s worth, he averaged 18.2 points on 56.1 percent shooting from the field during the not-so-distant 2014 NBA Playoffs.

With 56 games of postseason experience and three trips beyond the first round, Gibson’s presence could prove valuable in the long-run.

Gibson’s defensive intensity would fit well under head coach Dwane Casey. Toronto is already solid on the offensive glass, but his tenacity would be a welcome addition for a team that allows DeRozan to settle for contested midrange jump shots.

Gibson could be the missing piece as Toronto looks to make it out of the first round for the first time since 2001.

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