3 Teams still willing to trade the Raptors for Jakob Poeltl

No. 1: New Orleans Pelicans

There are a few more teams who could make a play for Jakob Poeltl; the New York Knicks are mulling over their center room, and the Golden State Warriors are trying to upgrade the roster. The Detroit Pistons could try to take a step forward. The Portland Trail Blazers can't stop collecting them.

There is one team in the league that has completely failed to find a starting center, however, and that is the New Orleans Pelicans. They let Jonas Valanciunas walk in free agency and included both Larry Nance Jr. and Cody Zeller in the Dejounte Murray trade. They signed journeyman center Daniel Theis to presumably start, with raw rookie Yves Missi and late second-round flier Karlo Matkovic the only options behind him.

It is possible that the Rockets or Grizzlies come to a realization during the season that they want to trade for a proven rim-protecting center; the Pelicans know right now they need such a player. They are likely furiously shopping Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, without seeming like they are doing so, trying to find a trade that provides solid return value and brings with it a veteran center.

That could be Jakob Poeltl, perhaps has part of a trade for Ingram or a larger multi-team deal where he or McCollum land somewhere else. Starting Theis this season lowers their ceiling, while starting Zion Williamson at center full-time increases his risk for injury and lowers their floor -- not to mention he has proven to be a truly bad defender thus far in his career.

Jakob Poeltl would meet a lot of needs for the Pelicans, and they are at the top of the list as a trade suitor for his services. If Toronto decides to make a move, their first call should be to the Big Easy.