The Toronto Raptors have made a push to work themselves into the DeAndre Jordan sweepstakes, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Toronto would likely need a third party in the deal, Stein adds, presumably because they lack the cap flexibility to accommodate Jordan's $22.6-million salary. The Raptors are right on the cusp of hitting the luxury tax and are just a few million shy of the hard cap.
Jordan, who is averaging 14.9 rebounds per game, would help the Raptors shore up their lone weakness on the defensive glass. Toronto ranks third in defensive rating, but are 20th in defensive rebounding rate. Jordan is also one of the league's most threatening lob targets around the rim.
However, the Raptors have gotten tremendous production from their centers this season, and it doesn't quite make sense to pay through the nose to reinforce a strength. Not only would Toronto go into the tax, but they would almost certainly need to offload Jonas Valanciunas and additional assets for a rental on Jordan.
It's conceivable that the Raptors are bidding up their competition. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks have been in hot pursuit of Jordan for over a month.
