Injury update may provide Raptors with the perfect trade partner

The Toronto Raptors need to stay ready to act as the winds of change continue to blow across the NBA.

They have a roster that, despite four significant trades during the year last season, remains in transition. Scottie Barnes is the player at the center of their future, for however high he can lift them, and Immanuel Quickley seems to be locked in beside him. Otherwise, a number of players on the roster could be moved, ranging from players being actively shopped like Bruce Brown and those the team would be reluctant to part with, such as Jakob Poeltl.

The reality remains that Poeltl is much older than the rest of their core and very limited as a player; he is excellent at what he does, shot-blocking and rebounding and screen-setting and lob-catching, but his versatility for different schemes or offensive approaches is extremely limited. He's not going to swtich out onto the perimeter, space the court or do anything but the most basic of passes. That combination of age and limitations means the Raptors should likely look to move on from him.

That doesn't mean they will - they gave up a lot to bring him back to the team for a second time, and he is a good player - but they should at least strongly consider it, especially given how many teams need a veteran center. The New Orleans Pelicans, the Golden State Warriors and others would likely be very interested should Poeltl hit the market.

The New York Knicks need a center

A new name may be entering the chat, driven by a talent exodus at the center position. The New York Knicks lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency to a contract larger than what they could offer. This week, it was reported that longtime Knick Mitchell Robinson, expected to step back into the starting lineup in Hartenstein's absence, will be out until at least December rehabbing the injury that caused him to miss much of last year.

That leaves the Knicks with the undersized Precious Achiuwa (acquired from Toronto in December) and the raw Jericho Sims as their only options at center. They could always look to go small, but that's a move head coach Tom Thibodeau has historically been unwilling to make. They could mine the scrap heap for options, but more likely they will wade into the trade market to see what they can find.

Jakob Poeltl is one option that likely would be on their radar, one way or the other. They could make an offer for Poeltl directly, perhaps building a deal around Mitchell Robinson's contract as matching salary and incentivizing the Raptors to give up Poeltl. They otherwise likely need to trade Julius Randle, a player the Raptors may or may not be interested in themselves.

Could the Knicks work out a 3-team trade sending Randle to another team and adding Poeltl, with players and assets heading to Toronto from that third team? Or could the Raptors even hold onto Poeltl for now, take on Robinson's salary in exchange for another player being rerouted, allowing the Knicks to acquire a center from another team? Toronto could afford to be patient for Robinson to heal and see if he could potentially be the replacement for Poeltl on the Raptors.

The Raptors have a chance here

It's not clear how the Raptors will benefit from this news, if at all, but that's the nature of the business. Things change quickly, and good teams react quickly and turn them into an advantage. The Raptors have not seemed to make those quick decisions over the past few years, likely losing out on some opportunities in the process. Can they adjust and continue reshaping the roster in intelligent, nimble ways?

Whether Jakob Poeltl heads to The Big Apple or not, every piece of news could be an opportunity. In this case, the timeline for Mitchell Robinson has the potential to sow distress in a Knicks organization close to contending at the very top of the mountain. That distress could mean success for the Raptors if they take advantage in the right way.