3 Raptors trade targets on rebuilding Western Conference teams

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 8: Darius Bazley #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is guarded by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 8: Darius Bazley #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is guarded by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors rumors, Jakob Poeltl
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 4: Jakob Poeltl #25 and Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs go for a rebound against Khem Birch #24 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

2. Jakob Poeltl, C, San Antonio Spurs

The Poeltl reunion rumors have been going strong since the trade deadline, though they may have slowed down just a tad after San Antonio surprisingly made it to the play-in tournament. Ujiri needs to check on Poeltl’s asking price, as he’s developed into the elite defensive center Toronto always thought he could be.

Poeltl averaged 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game with San Antonio to go along with some truly fun to watch defense. Poeltl is exactly what Toronto is missing, but the Spurs are not going to give him away without some serious compensation coming their way

Will the Spurs send Jakob Poeltl back to the Toronto Raptors?

Poeltl could be so dominant that Toronto changes the entire starting lineup around by moving Anunoby to shooting guard and benching Gary Trent Jr. With Ujiri having already identified him as a better player than Siakam in the past, he clearly has respect for his game.

Poeltl is a bit of a longshot due to San Antonio potentially looking to build a winner around Dejounte Murray, but things could change if the Spurs think they are further away from contention than last year would indicate. There’s a vacant No. 42 jersey if Poeltl ever makes his way back.