On Tuesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported (subscription required) that the Toronto Raptors "hope to retain Jakob Poeltl as part of any in-season dealings they undertake rather than part with their long-tenured center." The context behind that was Fischer writing that the team does want to upgrade their frontcourt, and that they're interested in Domantas Sabonis (and Anthony Davis).
The Raptors don't need to make a decision now on what they will do before the Feb. 5 deadline, even though Dec. 15, the unofficial start of trade season, has now passed. As Fischer wrote, the front office will wait to see how good this year's team can be, a determination that will happen in the next few weeks.
What fans do know is that Toronto wants to keep Poeltl, but it's worth noting that this could change. It's only Dec. 16. Poeltl isn't eligible to be traded until Jan. 7, since he can't be dealt until six months after the extension he signed over the summer (an extension that ages worse by the day).
Raptors hope to keep Jakob Poeltl past trade deadline
Poeltl's numbers are down from what they were last season, as he's averaging 10.1 points (his lowest since the 2020-21 season), 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game (his lowest since the 2018-19 season) in 26.2 minutes per game in 20 contests, shooting 69% from the field.
He has dealt with a nagging back injury that has factored into his performance this season. Rather than try to move off Poeltl and his contract amid his back woes, Toronto seems content to boost its frontcourt depth around the big man. It's not like Poeltl's trade value is high right now, anyway.
This may not be the news that fans wanted to hear, but it isn't surprising, and it doesn't mean that the Raptors won't be active before the deadline. They are one of the few teams that control all of their future first-round picks, so if a particular star in Milwaukee hits the market, Toronto will be in play.
The Raptors don't need to sit back and watch the next few weeks to know that they need to add to their struggling frontcourt depth, so while it's still a little too soon to know who they will pursue (not AD, please), that's a move that fans should expect. In the meantime, hopefully, Poeltl's back will become less of a problem so that he can be the consistent force down low Toronto needs.