The Toronto Raptors are reportedly interested in Denver Nuggets power forward Kenneth Faried, who is just coming off a breakout performance at the FIBA World Cup in Spain.

The Raptors are in attempt to add another major piece to their championship puzzle, as reports indicated Masai Ujiri's interest in acquiring the talent he drafted out of Morehead State three years ago.

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Ujiri, who served as vice president of basketball operation from 2010 to 2014, selected Faried 22nd overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Started his pro career as an energy guy off the bench, Faried slowly developed certain areas of his game, particularly his low-post scoring.

However, Faried opened everybody's eyes this offseason when he played a major role in Team USA's gold-medal winning campaign at the recently-concluded FIBA World Cup. Throughout the tournament, Faried's trademark hustle and infectious intensity were all over the court. He averaged 12.2 points and 7.7 rebounds to earn All-tournament honor.

The Raptors have been monitoring Faried's development and very much impressed by the forward's performance to the extent that they renewed their interest in acquiring him via trade.

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insider reported last February about the Raptors' plan in trading for Faried, though the deal never materialized primarily because of Brian Shaw's request to keep the Manimal.

"The Toronto Raptors have expressed interest in acquiring Denver Nuggets power forward Kenneth Faried before Thursday's trade deadline, league sources told Basketball Insiders," per Kennedy's report.

According to Kennedy, getting Faried via trade would be harder now than several months ago for the Raptors because the player suddenly padded up his value with his remarkable play as of late.

"Last season before the trade deadline, I reported that the Raptors had contacted the Nuggets about a Kenneth Faried trade. This came from a league source, and I was told that Masai Ujiri was interested in acquiring Faried since he is the one who drafted him," Kennedy stressed.

"With that said, I don't know if Denver will be willing to move Faried. I think he has shown significant progress since then (and looked excellent with Team USA), so they may decide to hold onto him. Yes, that will mean that they have to give him a big payday, but I think he has shown that he's worth it."

Although the Raptors have the assets to make any trade, the Nuggets are expected to sign Faried to a lucrative contract extension before Oct. 31 deadline.

TagsKenneth Faried, Toronto Raptors, NBA rumors, NBA trade news