Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey is reportedly planning to place power forward Patrick Patterson in his starting lineup until Jared Sullinger returns from a foot injury.

Patterson, 27, is entering his fourth season in Toronto and has been the team's resident backup big man since the Sacramento Kings traded him to the Raptors in December 2013. If rumors were to believe, it only means that this would be the first time he is promoted to become a regular starter.

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Last season, the former Kentucky standout averaged 6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 25.6 minutes per game as the primary backup of Luis Scola, who has joined the Brooklyn Nets this summer.

The Raptors signed Sullinger in July to become its new starting power forward. However, a foot injury that required surgery will sideline the former Boston Celtic for two to three months, thus, leading to the rumored promotion of Patterson.

At the moment, Patterson is competing for minutes with this year's 27th overall pick, Pascal Siakam, who is reportedly a favorite of coach Casey as well. Casey started Siakam during the Raptors' last three preseason games, but admitted that his first option would be Patterson.

"Patrick, right now, is our leading candidate," said Casey, as per the Toronto Star. "Love Pascal."

"So it's probably going to be a back-and-forth between those two," Casey added. "Pascal brings energy and defensive flexibility where we like, Patrick's got the veteran leadership and veteran experience at that position, so it will probably be a back-and-forth until Sully comes back."

Team president Masai Ujiri said he will "observe the situation" for the first few months of the new season to figure out if the team needs to trade for another power forward, according to ESPN.

"We like continuity, and I think we'll go with that," Ujiri added. "I know Coach will figure out how he wants to play the players, and he'll tell you guys more on that. That's his part. But, yes, you assess the team as we go, but we're going to be very patient with it."

Keep posted for more NBA rumors and news updates about Raptors and Patrick Patterson.

TagsNBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2016, Patrick Patterson, Toronto Raptors, Jared Sullinger