NBA Trade Deadline Report: Toronto Raptors highly interested in Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson is again a rumored trade candidate for a playoff team looking to improve their standing down the home stretch. Today the Toronto Raptors joined the fray according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

Right now the Raptors are starting Luis Scola at power forward and Anderson would provide a potential upgrade at the four spot. Scola is averaging 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Raptors this season; Anderson is averaging a far more robust 16.9 points and 5.9 rebounds off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Toronto is 35-17 going into the All-Star break and trail the Cleveland Cavaliers by just three games for the first seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors have made the playoffs each of the last two seasons but has not advanced beyond the first round.

I gather #Raptors also have high interest in #Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson as we roll into Feb. 18 trade deadline. https://t.co/nWuk09hIS9

— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) February 11, 2016

I already suggested a possible trade between the Pelicans and Raptors last week. As a quick review, a structure of Anderson for Patrick Patterson and either Delon Wright or the Raptors' own 2016 1st Round Pick makes some sense for both parties.

Personally I would prefer Wright over the Raptors pick. Wright is an older rookie but a long point guard who has performed well in the D-League. Toronto's pick is going to be in the mid-to-late 20's and O feel like Wright is a better value than that pick. Yes, the Raptors also own the lesser of the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks picks, but I doubt those are on the table for a Ryan Anderson rental plus his Bird Rights at the end of the season.