Grade the Trade: Raptors join 3-team Julius Randle deal in perplexing new proposal

One of the questions that the Toronto Raptors have to continually answer is whether Jakob Poeltl is their center of the future.

The veteran big man is four years older than anyone else in the team's core, and six years older than Scottie Barnes. This group's best years are likely a few years down the road; will Poeltl still be playing at his peak ability at that time? As a rim-running, non-shooting big man is he the best fit with this group on offense? Those are important questions the Raptors have to keep asking as long as he is on the team.

If the answers to those questions stray toward uncertainty then it's time to search the league for potential landing spots. We highlighted a few of those recently on the site, but one team we didn't mention was the New York Knicks.

Knicks need a center and the Raptors have one

The Knicks lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency this summer, outbid by an Oklahoma City Thunder team that threw a massive contract his way. They are now planning to go into next season as a fringe title contender but relying on the injury-prone Mitchell Robinson as their only proven center. Former Toronto big man Precious Achiuwa is likely the backup, with raw project center Jericho Sims behind them.

Could Jakob Poeltl be the answer the Knicks need to shore up the position? It's very possible, if the Raptors were ready to trade him and able to get back solid value, especially considering they don't have an answer behind him.

Can the teams work out a deal that works for both sides? It's difficult because of the salaries in play, but perhaps bringing in a third team would unlock a workable trade for everyone involved. Let's look at a trade proposed recently to send Jakob Poeltl to the Big Apple and grade it for the Raptors.