As the Toronto Raptors gear up for training camp in Quebec City, there are plenty of questions and concerns about Jakob Poeltl. The 30-year-old big man was brought back to Toronto at the 2023 trade deadline and, since returning, has struggled with health and appears to be at the end of his prime. Thankfully for the Raptors, a mid-season trade target has already revealed himself in Memphis Grizzlies big man Isaiah Stewart.
Stewart was acquired by the Grizzlies during the second round of the 2026 NBA draft for a pair of second-round picks.
Stewart has spent the last several years as the Detroit Pistons' junkyard dawg center, rebounding, playing physical, and setting the tone defensively. For the Raptors, he’s the type of gritty five-man that fits their defensive identity spearheaded by Scottie Barnes. With Memphis not in a contention window, they could be a viable suitor for Poeltl and the $84-plus million on his deal from 2027-2030 if Toronto is willing to attach draft capital.
This could be a win-win trade
Memphis is in the midst of a culture shift after drafting Cameron Boozer at No. 3 in the 2026 NBA Draft and is looking to stack draft capital and future assets. For a team like Toronto, Poeltl's contract is a burden as they are in the midst of trying to compete with their current core. But for Memphis, acquiring Poeltl would be a way to bring in more draft capital and have someone to eat up a chunk of their salary cap while they rebuild.
It’s also worth mentioning that at 30 years old, Poeltl is extremely experienced and is the type of pros-pro a young core could benefit from being around.
The immediate benefit that acquiring Stewart would bring to the Raptors is activity and youth. While Poeltl is on the decline, Stewart is only set to get better at 25. This past season, Stewart averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 stocks (steals plus blocks) in under 23 minutes per game. Stewart also shot 33.3 percent from three on 2.1 attempts per game, providing the Raptors with some potential floor spacing at the five, something they never had in the Scottie Barnes era. But his offensive game and his counting stats aren’t the draw—it's all about his defense.
Stewart is one of the league's most versatile defenders, as despite spending his entire NBA career being viewed as a rim protector, he can really hold his own on the perimeter. At 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, Beef Stew is very agile, slides his feet well, and is incredibly disciplined on the perimeter. Adding him to the Raptors' defensive core would give them the ability to switch one through five with certain lineups.
From a financial standpoint, Stewart would save Toronto money next season and long-term. Stew is on a one-plus-one deal that pays him $15 million annually, $4.5 million less than what Toronto is set to pay Jak next season. The option on Stewart’s contract in the summer of 2027 is a team option, which would provide Toronto with added flexibility next summer to either cut ties, bring Stew back, or even accept his option and re-trade him.
The Grizzlies don’t project to be great next season, and for the Raptors, that could create a great opportunity to get a center upgrade in Isaiah Stewart. If Memphis is looking to sell at the midway point of next season and Jakob Poeltl isn’t meeting expectations for Toronto, attaching draft capital to him to land Stewart could be a viable option for the Raptors.
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