Grade the Trade pitch: Poeltl moves to Hollywood, a Lakers rookie moves to T-Dot

Jakob Poeltl has been performing like a true standout lately.

This season, he’s emerged as one of the league's most compelling comeback stories, a fact that die-hard Raptors fans can certainly attest to, given that he was once on shaky ground following a string of underwhelming performances.

His substantial contract, combined with a string of lackluster performances, significantly diminished his trade value. After Poeltl carved out a league of his own, reaffirming his status as one of the NBA's most underrated centers, it’s clear that the phones in Toronto’s front office will soon be buzzing with rival executives eager to secure the talented Austrian big man.

One such team that could make a push to acquire Poeltl is the Los Angeles Lakers. At the forefront of the Lakers' stardom is the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, complemented by a talented supporting cast that includes Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.

However, a notable weakness in their lineup is their lack of quality depth at the center position. While Anthony Davis primarily plays center, he tends to perform at his best when positioned as a power forward. To truly maximize the potential of this Lakers core, pairing AD with a strong big man is essential. This has been evident in the team's ongoing search for the perfect complement in the paint.

Therefore, this hypothetical trade offer provides Los Angeles with a star-studded center to enhance their championship aspirations, while Toronto gains an intriguing rookie with a talent for shooting.

Laying out the details of the trade

So what would a hypothetical trade package surrounding Jakob Poeltl look like between the Raptors and Lakers? Here are the key puzzle pieces that might be involved:

In this trade offer, the matching salary for Poeltl is former All-Star D'Angelo Russell. Given the Raptors' rebuilding plans, he would likely either be bought out of his expiring contract or traded to a third team. Therefore, he contributes little to the deal beyond the financial aspect.

Toronto is particularly attracted to this offer due to the presence of 23-year-old rookie Dalton Knecht. He entered the 2024 NBA Draft class as an older collegiate player; however, a standout season at Tennessee elevated Knecht into the conversation of top prospects, positioning him to be selected anywhere from the top eight to the latter half of the lottery.

Knecht ultimately fell out of the lottery, gracefully landing in the Lakers' hands at pick 17, where they were more than happy to select an NBA-ready prospect. He began his rookie campaign on a rough note, struggling to secure consistent minutes initially. However, Knecht has since shown a series of impressive flashes.

He’s scored double-digit points with highly efficient three-point shooting in the last five games for the Lakers, averaging over 30 minutes per night. It’s evident that when Knecht is on the court for an extended period, he can consistently put points on the board. With this in mind, he makes an intriguing trade asset for Toronto to consider.

Jaxson Hayes is a reliable backup center following the losses of both Poeltl and Bruno Fernando. Meanwhile, the 2029 unprotected pick carries significant intrigue, as it could become extremely valuable with LeBron James likely retired by then.

Should the Raptors make this trade?

It's clear that Toronto would be lacking in center depth, relying primarily on Kelly Olynyk (currently injured), Chris Boucher (who is not a true center), and the newly acquired Jaxson Hayes (who may not be suited for starter minutes). That's not much of an issue for a rebuilding squad, so it would definitely help their losing chances at securing a top-end first-round pick for 2025.

The fit of Knecht in Toronto is intriguing, as there are numerous pathways for his Raptors career to flourish. He could become the team's much-needed scoring threat off the bench, potentially playing 25 to 30+ minutes per game. The combination of Dalton Knecht and Gradey Dick as a one-two scoring punch adds significant dynamism, whether they're in the starting lineup together or strategically spaced throughout the game.

Nonetheless, having multiple shooters on the roster is always beneficial, and Knecht's skill set doesn’t detract from his teammates; instead, he serves as a valuable complementary asset in any lineup.

This is a highly realistic trade offer for both sides, providing Toronto with a valuable young asset as well as a draft pick that has the potential to become a lottery pick in the future. On the other hand, Los Angeles finally secures the missing puzzle piece at center that they've been seeking. That being said, if a trade of that caliber is presented to Toronto's front office, they should give it serious consideration.

Grade: A