The Toronto Raptors are set to offer bench players Terrence Ross and Corey Joseph to the Philadelphia 76ers for their disgruntled center Nerlens Noel, according to latest NBA trade rumors.

Toronto has been one of the best teams in the East in the past several seasons. It was highlighted last season as the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history, but they were defeated by eventual champions Cleveland Cavaliers in six games, 4-2.

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The Raptors would naturally want to go back to the same position and try to improve their finish. They are currently on track this season as the team is second in the East with a 17-7 record, a game behind their rival Cleveland.

DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have improved their games once more this season and their supporting cast of Jonas Valanciunas, DeMarre Carroll, and Pascal Siakam have all reliably played their roles.

DeRozan is averaging 27.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 24 games while Lowry produces 21.2 points, 4.9 boards, 7.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game also in 24 games so far this season.

However, the team will still need to upgrade their roster, especially the frontcourt, if they want to have a chance of knocking out the defending champions out of their pedestal at least in the Eastern Conference.

With that, HNGN reported that the Raptors could be targeting Sixers center Nerlens Noel in midseason and are willing to let go of two of their most reliable substitutes in Terrence Ross and Corey Joseph to do so.

Noel, 22, has been battling injuries this season. He spent the first months of the season recovering from knee surgery and when he finally made his season debut last Sunday against the Detroit Pistons, he suffered an ankle injury after playing in only 10 minutes of action, as per CSN Philly.

Noel is listed as day-to-day at the moment with a left ankle sprain although reports said that it is only a minor issue.

If the hypothetical trade happens, then Toronto is set to form a dangerous twin-tower combo of Noel and Valanciunas. The Raptors will also improve their interior defense, which is one of the weaknesses of the squad right now.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, Nerlens Noel, philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors