It doesn't seem like Toronto's interest in Jakob Poeltl has changed.
On the eve of the trade deadline, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that there were some "fresh rumbles this week" that the Raptors explored packaging Gary Trent Jr. and "some level of draft compensation" for Poeltl.
This isn't the first time Poeltl has been linked to the Raptors, of course. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported a few weeks ago that the Raptors were one of two teams with "significant trade interest" in the Spurs center, and Poeltl was mentioned as a potential target before last season's trade deadline.
Is there a trade involving Trent Jr. and Poeltl that makes sense? Let's take a closer look.
Why Raptors say yes and no: Gary Trent Jr. trade to Spurs for Jakob Poeltl, Doug McDermott
The trade: Gary Trent Jr., Khem Birch and a first-round pick for Jakob Poeltl and Doug McDermott.
Why the Raptors say yes: The Raptors could lose Trent Jr. for nothing in the offseason. He has an $18.8 million player option in his contract for the 2023-24 season that he can opt out of to become an unrestricted free agent. Trading him ahead of the deadline would ensure the Raptors would get something in return for him.
Poeltl and McDermott isn't a bad return by any means. As I covered here, Poeltl checks some important boxes for a Raptors team in need of a center. He's an excellent rebounder and elite rim protector who can put pressure on teams as a roller and cutter. (Plus, Poeltl spent the first two seasons of his career in Toronto. There's a familiarity there.)
A career 41.0 percent 3-point shooter, McDermott would give the Raptors a much-needed floor spacer. The Raptors have been one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA this season and Trent Jr. has been one of their best 3-point shooters.
The Raptors have full control of their future first-round picks, so they might not be too concerned with giving up one if it helps balance out the roster.
Why the Raptors say no: As Stein noted, trading for Poeltl is a move you would make to try and climb the Eastern Conference standings, not improve your odds of landing Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson in the 2023 NBA Draft. Good as Poeltl and McDermott are, how much would they really improve this team?
Poeltl in particular wouldn't come cheap. He's making only $9.4 million this season, but he'll be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Charania reported that rival executives believe he will "approach the $20 million per year range" on his next contract, so the Raptors would have to be prepared to pay up. Otherwise, they'd risk him being a rental.
It's not like Poeltl and McDermott are young either. Poeltl recently turned 27 while McDermott recently turned 31. If the goal is to build more around Scottie Barnes, they might be better off targeting younger prospects.
There's a chance the Spurs would want more draft compensation, too. It's been reported that they're looking for not one, but two first-rounders for Poeltl. They'd have the cap space to pay Trent Jr., but one first-round pick might not be enough to cover the risk of him leaving in free agency.
