Raptors’ daring trade plans for Spurs’ Jakob Poeltl

The NBA trade market is starting to pick up again as many of the players who signed free agent deals in the off-season are eligible to be traded. One team that could change the landscape of the league in the coming weeks and months is the San Antonio Spurs.

San Antonio itself will not feature in the playoff race as they are in a rebuilding season with their eyes on Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft. But they will have an impact on the playoff race because they have multiple veterans that other teams want to acquire through trade.

Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott have both been named in trade rumors, but the player for whom the Spurs will receive the larger trade package in exchange is Jakob Poeltl. Since becoming a full-time starter for the Spurs two seasons ago, he’s seen his production rise exponentially.

San Antonio has developed him well and expanded his skills. He can now be used as an offensive hub with his improved style of play as he averages 3.5 assists per game in his career. Couple that with his efficient shooting and elite edge protection and rebound, and you have a player that could be worth quite a bit in the trading market.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs & Toronto Raptors Updates

A team that is closely linked to him is the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors know Poeltl well, as they used the No. 9 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft on him before he was included in the trade package for Kawhi Leonard. Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sport gave an update on the Raptors’ interest in returning the big man north of the border.

“The original team at the 7-foot-1 center is reportedly interested in bringing him back. The Toronto Raptors have maintained interest in Poeltl since trading him to the Spurs in the deal that brought Kawhi Leonard north. The Boston Celtics have also been linked to Poeltl, but for now the Celtics seem to be happy with their roster as it is.”

Poeltl’s future in San Antonio is certainly up in the air. The asking price is high and nobody has wanted to pay that price yet. The Spurs have made it clear that this is not a situation where they will trade Poeltl to the highest bidder; they want the two picks from the first round they ask for.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs & Toronto Raptors Updates

If no one hits that prize, there seems to be a mutual interest in continuing the relationship. Poeltl reportedly doesn’t mind staying in San Antonio and they will have room to properly compensate him in the off-season. His fit alongside Wembanyama, should the Spurs be lucky enough to select him, is something that also intrigues the franchise.