The Toronto Raptors lost starting power forward Amir Johnson in July as the free agent signed a deal with the Boston Celtics. As the Raptors begin training camp, the starting power forward position is up for grabs and Patrick Patterson is aiming to win the competition for that spot, but he may not be the best fit. From Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun:

"As last year’s backup to Johnson, Patterson is the expected front-runner to fill the role, but it’s not a fait accompli. The team brought in veteran

Luis Scola

fresh off an MVP tournament at the FIBA Americas. At 35 Scola is closer to the end of his career than he is the beginning, but he’s clearly got plenty left in the tank as he showed in Mexico and remains a viable starting option should the Raptors choose to go that way. He’s a savvy, all-around player who makes those around him better. The decision, though, won’t come down to who is necessarily the better player. Head coach Dwane Casey is more concerned with fit than ability. And that fit is tied directly to starting center

Jonas Valanciunas

. Casey says the decision will come down to who gives the Raptors the best fit playing alongside the young center. And that may not be the best news where Patterson is concerned. How Scola and Valanciunas fit remains to be seen."

Last season, Patterson played in 81 regular-season games while averaging 8.0 points and 5.3 rebounds.