With the off-season coming to an end and training camp just right around the corner, most NBA coaches are starting to plan their rotation for this upcoming season. One NBA team that will have to do a whole lot of planning is the Toronto Raptors.

The men up north lost their power forward Amir Johnson this off-season. Johnson, their starter at the 4, signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Boston Celtics, leaving a void in need of filling for the 2015-16 campaign. It was time to move on for the Raptors, and now it is a question of who will be Johnson's successor.

Will it be Patrick Patterson? Luis Scola? How about James Johnson? The VAVEL Raptors writers weighed in on who they thought should start for coach Dwane Casey this upcoming NBA season.

Rahul Kapil (@WeTheNorth11): Patrick Patterson

Patrick Patterson: to start, or not to start? That is the question that coach Casey and his staff will have to address in the upcoming season. Patterson's major competition at this point is Luis Scola, and one major advantage the former five-star recruit has is where his career is headed. Patterson’s career has been trending upwards whereas Scola is seeing his final years in the league and has a decreasing quality of play as a result.

The 35 year-old Argentine has only started 18 games over the last two seasons, and his field goal percentage and rebounding numbers have dipped slightly almost every year. For an aging player, however, Scola has performed at a very respectable clip. 

"With the departure of Amir Johnson, it is Patterson’s job to lose at this point."

Despite the slight decline, he can provide his veteran leadership to this relatively young team coming off the bench. With the departure of Amir Johnson, it is Patterson’s job to lose at this point.

It is no secret that his ability to stretch the floor at the stretch-four position is valuable to this Raptors team. It allows Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan to use some extra space in their determined drives to the cup on an every-game basis. 

Patterson will need to improve his dexterity in the low-post area to become a more versatile player and more of a threat on offense for Toronto. He still is the clear best option for the team at this point.

You can contact Rahul on Twitter with Raptors questions or banter.

Rami Al-muzaini (@RapsFeed): James Johnson

The Raptors addressed their biggest need this off-season with the signing of SF DeMarre Carroll. Toronto signed the tough "3-and-D" guy they wanted Terrence Ross to be. So now, with the off-season coming to an end, the Raps' second-weakest position stays unanswered. Their power forwards are some of the weakest at that spot in the NBA. 

The current options are of Patterson, Scola, and James Johnson (who can play both forward slots). All three of these players are not starting-caliber power forwards, so it is more a matter of who is best fit to start of the three.

"With his athleticism and agility, he [James Johnson] brings a whole new aspect of mobility and tempo to this team."

I believe James Johnson should start at the 4. He's the team's best defender, able to defend most power forwards, and with his athleticism and agility, he brings a whole new aspect of mobility and tempo to this team. In 12 starts during the 2014-15 season, Johnson averaged 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while converting shots at an unbelievable rate of 64.3%.

He brings a defensive intensity that Patterson and Scola cannot possibly provide. He deserves more minutes and should be rewarded with his efficient play from last season by getting the starting job. Maybe some more of those off-the-backboard self alley-oops will bring some energy, eh?

You can find other articles written by Rami here, or contact him with Raptors questions or banter on Twitter.

Thomas Eurich (@Thomas_Eurich): Patrick Patterson

Patterson, who has became one of coach Casey's favorites for his off-the-bench scoring punch, has shown over the last couple of years in Toronto that he can be a capable defender. The Raptors have always felt that their young center, Jonas Valunciunas, should be paired with a stretch 4, which is why the Andrea Bargnani-Valanciunas pairing was so enticing in its day. 

The player that looks to give Patterson the most competition at the 4 spot is Luis Scola, who Casey has already mentioned is the favorite to start. Scola was never touted as a defensive big man, however. He has made his money by scoring the rock as a low-post player. His defensive efficiently was very good last year because he came off the bench, a role he should stay in with the Raptors this season.

You can find other articles written by Thomas here, or contact him with Raptors questions or banter on Twitter.

Ralph Salame (@WeTheNorth1993): Patrick Patterson

Patterson should be the starting power forward for the Raptors. However, Toronto can still search for another power forward in the free agency market if needed.

"If the Raptors organization can find a way to sign him [Markieff Morris], then he would be a preferable starter over Patterson, Luis Scola, or James Johnson."

As of right now, Markieff Morris is the best available option. He wants out from the Phoenix Suns, which makes him a realistic candidate to be the next addition to Toronto's roster. If the Raptors organization can find a way to sign him, then he would be a preferable starter over Patterson, Luis Scola, or James Johnson.

In this current situation, Patterson should be starting because he has the most experience as a power forward than any other player on the roster.

You can contact Ralph on Twitter with Raptors questions or banter.

Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1): Patrick Patterson

Without a doubt, Patterson should be the starting power forward for the Raptors this upcoming season. His ability to space the floor, move the ball offensively and stay in front of all sizes of players he matches up against makes him the clear cut choice for Casey's coaching staff. 

“I see it as it’s mine to lose,” said Patterson. The 6'9" 26 year-old has become a valuable stretch four in the league that could help Jonas Valanciunas excel more in getting to his spot on the floor and posting up more freely if paired up alongside him. It all depends on whether Casey would like to keep that spark Patterson brought off the bench this past season or see what he has in store as a starter. 

"It all depends on whether Casey would like to keep that spark Patterson brought off the bench this past season or see what he has in store as a starter."

Patterson averaged 8.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 26.6 minutes per game and ranked sixth among power forwards in three-point shooting efficiency in 2014-15. Starting opening night against the Indiana Pacers, Raptors fans should expect Patterson to become the permanent starter at the 4 slot.

You can find other articles written by Libaan here, or contact him with Raptors questions or banter on Twitter.

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