2-Pat, or not 2-Pat, that is the question for Raptors' Ujiri

How much do the Raptors value Patrick (2-Pat) Patterson? Enough to offer him a contract extension for next season and beyond?

Patrick Patterson, the backup power forward of the Toronto Raptors, is an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) following this season. Head honcho Masai Ujiri must make up his mind about offering 2-Pat a new contract. If Masai wants to keep him in Toronto, how much will he cost?

Patterson is an interesting case study. He arrived in the Great White North as part of the Rudy Gay trade, thereby leaving central California for an unknown city in a different country. Patrick freely admitted in a Players’ Tribune post that he instructed his agent to get him out of a Raptors uniform without delay. Then two unexpected things happened – Patrick began to like his new home, and the Raptors started winning. When free agency beckoned, he spent little time examining the market, instead re-joining the Raptors.

An emotional connection with the city and team is all well and good, but the team President has to be a hard-nose. Should Patterson be offered a contract? If so, at what salary and duration?

Patrick’s numbers don’t scan terribly well. He’s averaging over 30 minutes of playing time per game (the third-most on the team), yet his scoring average is a paltry 6.8. His secondary numbers aren’t anything to shout about either; his best friend is the plus-minus, at which he’s been plus for the past five seasons. Good thing too; Patrick’s PER is 9.6, by far the Raptors’ worst.

In spite of his modest statistical contributions, 2-Pat has earned and retains the trust of coach Dwane Casey. Patrick closes many games for Toronto, largely because he can be relied upon to “do the little things” (a dreadful expression) well. He seldom turns the ball over under pressure, doesn’t take bad fouls, and can be counted on to inbound the ball (or pressure it, as the case may be) in short-clock situations. He challenges all comers at the rim, and pulls down key rebounds.

Not easy to replace

I struggle to see how the Raptors can make up that 30 minutes if 2-Pat walks. Pascal Siakam has been a revelation, but he’s two seasons away from being a difference-maker. Jared Sullinger hasn’t played a minute as a Raptor, and is on a one-year deal. Jakob Poeltl is a centre. I’ve heard talk of playing DeMarre Carroll at the PF spot in small-ball lineups, a prospect my gut tells me will fail. Here’s 2-Pat’s trump card: Masai values continuity (hear, hear!) and doesn’t want people walking away.

Dec 9, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles the ball between Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) and forward Terrence Ross (31) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

On balance…yes

OK, let’s bring him back. Patrick gets more minutes than Jonas Valanciunas or Terrence Ross, but gets paid less than either man currently. Would 2-Pat be happy, in this era of insane NBA salaries, with a three-year, $31 million deal? Honestly, I don’t know – teams well under the cap might be tempted to throw a lot more money than that at him. With good reason – Phoenix, Philadelphia, Minnesota…these are all young teams who could use a veteran presence in the locker room, and on the floor. Brooklyn and Dallas are frantically turning over rocks to find respectable players. Hence, Patrick might have a bunch of suitors.

In sum, I think this post is Part 1 of a two-parter, but I have no clue when I’ll be writing Part 2.

In the meantime, over to you, Rapture Nation. Would you tender 2-Pat an offer, or let him walk?

[all data current as of November 28, 2016 & courtesy of www.stats.nba.com and www.espn.com/nba/statistics]

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