However, one organization emerges every deadline as a key hub for the entire NBA. This season, it could be San Antonio. Spurs center Jakob Poeltl has gained significant trade interest from teams such as the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics, according to league sources who, like all the other sources in this story, were granted anonymity so that they would be able to speak freely.
https://theathletic.com/4098049/2023/01/17/nba-trade-deadline-poeltl-collins-vanvleet-shams/?source=user_shared_article
by horseshoeoverlook
18 Comments
Poeltl is good, but if the asking price is 2 firsts + Pritchard I’m not sure if it’s worth it. Poeltl is an UFA after this season and I don’t think he would be willing to re-sign here when he can get more money and a bigger role elsewhere. Additionally, he cannot space the floor like Horford or Grant can so playing him with Rob would absolutely kill our spacing.
If the C’s are looking for a third big they should look for a big who can provide outside shooting if need be. I’ve heard Hartenstein might fall out of the Knicks rotation, so he could be worth looking at instead.
It just feels like Payton and Gallo are on their way out. The team really seems to like them but poeltl would be dope to have and would be better on the court
Would rather go for Biyombo.
1.Cheaper to get (maybe a second-rounder would do it?)
2. playoff proven in a way that Poeltl isn’t
3. He’s on a vet min that we could plug into our TPE
4. There’s a chance we could hold onto him next year, while Poeltl would for sure leave in free agency.
Also, bear in mind the Suns are way over the cap and are going to start moving pieces soon because they stink.
I think wing depth is a significantly bigger need then a 3rd center. Kornet has benn good as a 3rd center and an extra wing which hopefully allows to rest Tatum or brown to reduce their mpg is a bigger need with Hausers slump.
Another notable blurb from the article:
> The Spurs have had a standing offer to Poeltl for his maximum extension of four years and $58 million since before the season, but that has been declined, league sources say. San Antonio will be able to offer more to Poeltl in the offseason and is slated to have in excess of $50 million in salary-cap space. Rival executives believe Poeltl will approach the $20 million per year range in a new deal during the offseason. There’s no question the Spurs will hold a high price threshold for any deal involving Poeltl.
As anticipated, it sounds like Poeltl would probably be a rental
Even if we WANTED to give up 2 firsts for him and could give him a long term contract, I don’t understand how he fits on this team. He’s a borderline elite defender but is unplayable next to Rob because he provides 0 spacing. You can’t play them together in the modern NBA, even in limited spurts.
I trust whatever Brad does but it’s not really making sense to me to invest heavily in another center who can’t even play with your current stud center
Would rather a wing (Hiiiiii Jaden McDaniels), but Poetel off the bench definitely doesn’t hurt the team
Reminder as we head to the deadline. Teams who are making players available often mention player names/teams from other organizations to set the market or gain leverage
Am I the only one who thinks their biggest need is another wing? Someone who can shoot? I don’t think Hauser is that guy.
In addition having to give up firsts, Pritchard and Gallo the C’s probably wouldn’t be able to sign both Poeltl and Grant in the offseason due to tax concerns.
C’s need to be looking more for bargain bin end of roster guy than a starting caliber center.
Would rather have Grant long term than Poeltl and don’t think it’s worth trading for a rental
Terrible shooter and a terrible free throw shooter. Even though he has a soft touch around the rim, his other weaknesses make him more a liability. He aint that dominant to ignore that.
naz reid is our guy. much cheaper and still good enough to fill his role
Please no.
I like the ambition to get better,
But I don’t see the trade happening, Boston don’t have a 1st rounder this year and without losing depth in the roster
Rather have isaiah stewart or mo bamba
I was going to say I think this is San Antonio blowing smoke. But for the playoffs I think the Celtics would like to get back to the double big lineup. So I guess I could see a Pritchard, pick and salary rental where Rob and Al play maybe 28 minutes together, and Poeltl plays the 5 the rest of the way. So Poeltl would be the avenue to maximizing the time last year’s starting five plays together.
With Grant available as well that reduces Tatum’s time at the 4 to maybe 8 minutes per game with the other 28 at the 3. JB in turn plays 28 at the 2 and another 8 at the 3.
Assuming Smart plays 30 or so minutes, that leaves 18 minutes remaining at the point, 20 at the 2, 12 at the 3 and 12 at the 4. With Grant playing those 12 minutes at the 4, that leaves 50 minutes for White and Brogdon to split across the 1 through 3. Obviously adjustments can be made depending on matchups, but a Poeltl move probably would allow last year’s death lineup to go more than half the game together. It would also let the Celtics mine the buyout market for a veteran win to play spot minutes.
Then the Celtics can figure out how to move Al into the third big role during the off-season. Unfortunately in the above scenario they don’t have Pritchard’s contract anymore, but they would be able to show a mid-level big the role they could play next season based on Poeltl’s work. Meanwhile they could keep an eye out for a trade in case they can generate a more permanent solution.
Let’s be honest. With his shot selection, Al is now a 3 and D four who can also guard big men at an elite level. (No offense to Al, this is a rare combination of skills that almost no one else in the league has.) Offensively, Rob is the only playoff caliber player who truly plays the 5. Being able to have Rob or Poeltl play alongside Al for all of his minutes would give the Celtics truly exceptional defense while maintaining good floor spacing. And when Rob and Al are both out, Poeltl would be massive.
Rob/Poeltl probably wouldn’t play together often for spacing reasons, but that just helps to manage Rob’s minutes. I think this is an excellent trade prospect, if the price is right.