Raptors must trade veteran big man before the deadline as interest grows

Raptors pressured to trade Jakob Poeltl amid rising contender interest

Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat
Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat | Rich Storry/GettyImages

The Toronto Raptors are facing significant challenges. Struggles are inherent to any rebuilding team, but recently, maintaining optimism has become increasingly difficult for the Raptors fanbase, especially as the squad appears more depleted with each grueling loss.

Initially, it seemed like Toronto could make the rebuild enjoyable, much like the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yet, it has taken a complete 180-degree turn, now resembling the dismal years of the Pistons' rebuild—years marked by a profound lack of hope.

Indeed, it has been a challenge for Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic and star player Scottie Barnes, both of whom have publicly expressed their frustration to the media about the team’s lack of motivation and drive.

With all that in mind, the narrative shifts to the Raptors' numerous veterans. As the season increasingly looks bleak, which Toronto veterans are expendable, and which ones seem to be safe?

It seems that Toronto possesses a valuable trade asset in Bruce Brown, who is arguably the best defensive wing available on the market following the recent completion of the Dorian Finney-Smith deal. However, what about someone like Jakob Poeltl, the Raptors' 7-foot Austrian center?

What are the Raptors' plans with Jakob Poeltl?

Recent insider reports indicated that the Raptors preferred to retain Poeltl. Despite the team's rebuilding efforts, he addresses a critical need in their roster, particularly given Toronto's weak presence in the paint.

Nevertheless, this is the NBA, where circumstances can shift just as swiftly as a clear direction emerges. As we've discussed previously, the Raptors present a roster characterized by a murky talent pool of 'untouchable' players, with Scottie Barnes being the only one who makes a compelling case for that designation.

The latest insider intel from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype indicates that Jakob Poeltl remains a prominent name among several NBA executives, despite Toronto's apparent inclination to retain him for the long term.

Clearly, Toronto has a multitude of suitors, indicating that the Raptors have some intriguing offers on the table that could part ways with Poeltl. They may indeed have a master plan that envisions Poeltl as the long-term center for their eventual playoff push. However, there’s a significant "what if" in that assertion; it’s becoming increasingly hard to picture Toronto as a competitive team in alignment with Poeltl's contract.

Raptors must handle the Jakob Poeltl situation in their best interest

For the 2026-27 season, Poeltl has a $19.5 million player option that he is likely to decline in pursuit of a more lucrative contract, particularly if his game continues to improve. Is Toronto prepared to pay a hefty price for Poeltl at that point? That remains to be seen. However, it might be wiser to seize an offer before it's too late.

Interest in Poeltl is at an unprecedented high, and Toronto might be playing a risky hand if they don't act decisively soon. The Raptors need to adopt a realistic perspective; while Poeltl is undeniably a perfect fit for the roster, there are avenues to acquire a replacement, especially as they experiment with their rebuilding strategy in the years to come.

Keeping that in mind, the Scotto report indicated that the Raptors will monitor the trade deadline regarding Poeltl and upcoming contract extension discussions in the offseason. However, it’s possible that Toronto may not reach that point and recognize the writing on the wall, choosing instead to part ways with their exceptional Austrian big man.

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