The Toronto Raptors could still trade Jakob Poeltl.
It seems that they won't, given that there has been no chatter about such a deal and teams generally only make moves at this time of year if forced to. Yet even casting ahead into the season and toward the trade deadline, the Raptors have given no indication of wanting to move on from Jakob Poeltl.
That makes sense given the lack of reliable center options on the roster and the price paid to acquire Poeltl, but neither one of those elements should be the driving force. Do the Raptors believe Poeltl is the right center to start long-term next to Scottie Barnes? That's the question to ask, and if the answer is no, they should consider trading him now when his value is higher than it will be in a few years when Toronto is actually ready to replace him.
To trade a player you need a second team who wants that player, and given the Raptors' situation they aren't simply looking to move him; they're looking to recoup significant assets for him. They won't be able to get back a single asset as good as the No. 8 pick, what they ended up giving up in the trade, but that's water under the bridge.
If Toronto decides to move on from Poeltl, going younger and resetting the money they've committed to the position, what teams are still interested in a deal? Let's look at three teams who would still be interested in a Poeltl trade and discuss whether a deal could make sense sometime between now and the trade deadline.
No. 3: Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have a budding star at center in Alperen Sengun, but that didn't stop them from going hard after Brook Lopez last summer. This year they have waited on offering a contract extension, perhaps in part influenced by how well they played last season with a rim protector on the court in lieu of the defensively-challenged Sengun.
The Rockets have prioritized defense in their veteran additions, and Poeltl would instantly be the best paint protector on the roster. What's more, the addition of Reed Sheppard in the draft only further improves their shooting, making it more likely they can build positive offensive lineups even with the non-shooting Poeltl on the court.
Especially if the Rockets push in a few chips for a star trade, particularly if they move Sengun, adding a cost-controlled proven defender at center would make sense, and they have the financial flexibility to make such a deal happen.