According to Chad Ford of ESPN the Raptors are looking to move up in the draft and have contacted both the 76ers and the Nets about the availability of their picks. Apparently the Raptors big board is more optimistic than we thought and the Raptors are undoubtedly looking at DeMarcus Cousins, Evan Turner and Derrick Favors. All three of these players would make a Bosh exit a lot easier to bear.

Unfortunately for us neither team needs a point guard.

The Nets aren’t likely to give up their pick unless it is in some sort of sign and trade that nets them Bosh, which is not very likely but we can hope right?

The 76ers however are a different story, they have let it be known that they are willing to deal the #2 overall pick to any team willing to take on Elton Brand. A former 20-10 beast, I would love to nab Brand if it also meant acquiring the #2 pick and either Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors. Brand is a fit on paper as he can play either the 4 or the 5 and can play D. Turner, Cousins and Favors all fit because we can shuffle players at their potential positions to ensure they start right away.

Evan Turner can play either the 2 or the 3 and so can DeMar DeRozan, so this is a fit, much the same way less talented prospects Xavier Henry and Paul George are still a fit because of their abilities, much like DeRozan to play either position.

DeMarcus Cousins is a fit, because he is a franchise center, and franchise centers, just don’t come along that often. Considering Bargnani was manning the 5 for us this season, Cousins’ paint presence would be a blessing for Raptor fans. Cousins would be neck and neck with Turner for the #1 spot on the Raptors big board.

Derrick Favors would take over for Bosh at the 4, and would be a favorite for rookie of the year if Triano determined he was ready to start right away; which for one reason or another he would. Favors has better D than Cousins and also outplayed him when they met in high school. Favors is also undoubtedly the better athlete of the two. Favors would also be able to play Center for the Toronto Raptors if need be, and would of course, represent an upgrade over Bargnani.

Raju Byfield is a Senior Sports Writer for Raptors Digest.

Raju Byfield also writes for Win My Fantasy League as a Senior Sports Writer/Fantasy Sports Analyst.