The NBA trade market is going to start picking up now that many of the players who signed free-agent deals in the offseason 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 isn’t going to be a factor in the playoff race themselves as they are in a rebuilding season with their eyes set on Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft. But, they will make an impact on the playoff race because they have multiple veterans that other teams have interested in acquiring via trade.
Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott have both been mentioned in trade rumors, but the player for who the Spurs will receive the bigger trade package in return is Jakob Poeltl. Since becoming the full-time starter for the Spurs two seasons ago he has seen his production rise exponentially.
San Antonio has developed him well and expanded his skill set. He can now be used as an offensive hub with his improved playmaking as he is averaging a career-high 3.5 assists per game. When you couple that with his efficient shooting and elite rim protection and rebounding, you have a player that could be worth quite a lot on the trade market.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs & Toronto Raptors Updates
One team that has been linked to him a lot 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! Sports provided an update on the Raptors’ interest in bringing the big man back north of the border.
“The 7-foot-1 center’s original team is reportedly interested in bringing him back. The Toronto Raptors have retained interest in Poeltl since they traded 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 appear to be content with their roster as is.”
Poeltl’s future in San Antonio is certainly up in the air. The asking price is high, and no one has been willing to meet that price yet. The Spurs have made it clear this isn’t a situation in which they will trade Poeltl to the highest bidder; they want the two first-round picks they are asking for.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs & Toronto Raptors Updates
If no one meets that price, there seems to be some mutual interest in continuing the relationship. Poeltl reportedly doesn’t mind remaining in San Antonio and they will have the cap space to compensate him well in the offseason. His fit alongside Wembanyama, should the Spurs be lucky enough to select him, is something that also intrigues the franchise.
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