RAPTORS BLOG: Quick reaction to Raptors bringing back Jakob Poeltl and what’s next

Article content

It was nice of the Raptors to save Jakob Poeltl and Khem Birch some trouble: Make a deal involving both big men while San Antonio was in town to take on the Raptors.

Article content

While they couldn’t quite swap jerseys — for good — post-game, it added a little something to the transaction.

Article content

Speaking of that deal, first reported in the wee hours of Thursday (NBA trade deadline day) by ESPN and The Athletic, Toronto brings back Poeltl, who the team always liked and originally drafted, in exchange for a first-round pick and a pair of second-round selections, plus Birch (who was not playing and was owed $7 million for next season).

Article content

They never wanted to deal Poeltl, a key part of the Kawhi Leonard deal (which also sent out DeMar DeRozan and the pick that became solid young forward Keldon Johnson, in exchange for Leonard and Danny Green)) and had tried for over a year to try to repatriate the big man.

This piece is being written about five hours before the trade deadline and there’s obviously more to come, but here are some initial thoughts:

Article content

— Poeltl is a great fit. He is an elite rim defender, an excellent rebounder and an excellent passer for a 7-footer (not Nikola Jokic level of course, but who is? But well above average). He sets excellent screens (Top 15 in screen assists, more than 100 more this season than any Raptor) and already has great built-in chemistry on and off the court with Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and O.G. Anunoby (of course we’ll see if either of VanVleet or Anunoby stay put past this afternoon).

— Toronto now has an enviable pair of centres in Poeltl and the emerging Precious Achiuwa (plus Christian Koloko for down the line).

— Have to think this increases the chances yet again that Pascal Siakam is a Raptor for years. Acquiring his other best friend after going out and getting some of his favourite developmental coaches in consecutive summers would indicate that.

Article content

— Also would think the logjam up front gets cleared up today.

— Obviously it’s a terrible deal if Poeltl walks (Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto reported the 2024 first is protected only through the first six picks). But can’t imagine the Raptors aren’t at least 95% confident they’ll be able to work out a new contract with him. Clearly they believe they have the pieces to not be a lottery team in 2023-24 (I believe them, even if one of the other core pieces moves today for prospects/picks/draft relief).

THE MATH

Toronto shed Birch’s nearly $7 million next year and can cut Thaddeus Young in the off-season and owe him only $1 million for 2023-24. That opens up $8 million of whatever Poeltl’s raise will be. Assuming they don’t want to pay the luxury tax (they remain under the tax this season even after taking on Poeltl) not all of Anunoby, VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. can be back. I wonder if they find Chris Boucher, playing some outstanding basketball lately and an organizational developmental success story, a new home today too to ease the future cap crunch?). Maybe Otto Porter would accept some sort of buyout to find a new home too?

THREE STARS VS. SPURS

1 Pascal Siakam

2 Chris Boucher

3 Keldon Johnson

Honourable mention: Precious Achiuwa, Jakob Poeltl, Fred VanVleet