Toronto Raptors And San Antonio Spurs Have Made A Trade
The Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs have agreed on a trade involving center Jakob Poeltl, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Adrian Wojnarowski: "The Toronto Raptors are acquiring San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl for Khem Birch, a protected 2024 first-round draft pick and two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN."
Poeltl, 27, had been viewed as the best center available ahead of this year's trade deadline and the Spurs had been receiving interest from a handful of teams for him, particularly from the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.
Looking to upgrade the talent in their frontcourt, the Raptors have been targeting Poeltl since the offseason.
Originally drafted 9th overall by Toronto in 2016, Poeltl will once again play for the Raptors, as he spent two seasons with the organization before being traded to the Spurs ahead of the 2018-19 season.
As for the Spurs, they remained adamant on the fact that they wanted a first-round pick for Jakob Poeltl and they get that from the Raptors in this trade.
Toronto is sending a 2024 first-round pick to San Antonio with protections on it, as well as two future second-round picks, along with veteran center Khem Birch, who will likely be a buyout candidate for the Spurs.
Playing in a total of 45 games for the Spurs this season, Poeltl has averaged 12.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the floor.
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