The Toronto Raptors are up a creek without a paddle with the Jakob Poeltl contract. They need to trade it, and no one wants it, creating a thony problem with no elegant solution. Yet the shifting sands of the NBA are continually opening up opportunities, and if a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade comes to pass, the Raptors may suddenly get their chance.
The ideal player to pair with Scottie Barnes in the frontcourt would be a shot-blocking defender who would free Barnes up to roam on defense, who at the same time is confident shooting the ball from 3-point range. That list of players is not long, and one of them was just traded to the Utah Jazz in Jaren Jackson Jr.
One of the players who is on that list, however, is Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner. He was seen as the perfect fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, a similar player to Barnes in many ways, and he would be an excellent fit in Toronto. But as the Bucks try to determine their path forward, they aren't ready to commit to years of Poeltl's contract -- which may well be the very worst in the NBA.
If they were to trade Giannis ahead of the Trade Deadline, however, things would open up. The Bucks would officially pivot into rebuilding mode, and likely understand their path forward would take multiple seasons. Out multiple future first-round picks, the Bucks could recoup assets by using their salary cap space to take on long-term contracts -- like Jakob Poeltl's.
The Raptors could trade Jakob Poeltl for Myles Turner
Building a Poeltl-for-Turner swap, therefore, would make sense for both teams. Here is what such a deal could look like:
The Bucks take on Poeltl and another four years after this one, an onerous ask. For their trouble, however, they get a trio of assets. Toronto's own 2026 first-round pick, allowing the Bucks to get another bite at the apple in what appears to be a loaded draft class; Ochai Agbaji, a 3-and-D wing in-demand around the league and on an expiring deal; and Ja'Kobe Walter, the best asset of the bunch, a two-way wing with upside still two years away from needing a new contract.
Is this enough for the Bucks to deal Myles Turner? Perhaps not, but with the Boston Celtics securing their stretch-big in Nikola Vucevic, there may not be a plethora of teams hunting for his services. This deal returns multiple assets that would be attractive to a rebuilding team.
For Toronto, the twofold accomplishment of getting out of Poeltl's contract and adding Turner makes this a no-brainer move, and it likely would be even if they needed to add another sweetener to get it done. Turner's comfort level shooting from outside would be game-changing for the Raptors' offense, and he would be an ideal defensive partner with Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes as well.
This trade would also keep the coffers free for another move this offseason, when the Raptors could put together a package of four first-round picks with the matching salaries of Immanuel Quickley or RJ Barrett to go after a big-name star, were one to come available. It's a modest move that could have a huge impact.
From disaster to dream, this trade would be a slam dunk for Toronto.