The San Antonio Spurs are a team that many people are keeping an eye on as we head toward the unofficial start of the trade season in the NBA. San Antonio clarified their intentions during the offseason, as they are entering a rebuild. They trade All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks for a trade package built around draft picks as they have turned their focus to the future.
They are hoping that the future includes winning the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery and having the chance to select Victor Wembanyama, who is regarded as the best prospect since LeBron James. Wembanyama has dazzled the basketball world with his unique combination of size and skill, handling the ball and shooting 3-pointers like a perimeter player despite standing 7’3”.
San Antonio isn’t the only team that is hoping to win the Wembanyama sweepstakes as plenty of teams geared up for a rebuild. If the Spurs wanted to, they can go even deeper as there are a few more veteran pieces on the roster.
The one garnering the most attention is center Jakob Poeltl. As shared by LJ Ellis on Spurs Talk, two teams have emerged as suitors for Poeltl; the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors.
“According to a pair of sources, the two teams most persistent about acquiring Poeltl are the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors. The talks with the Raptors date back to last season’s trade deadline, but Toronto remains hesitant to offer anything more than a package highlighted by a single first-round draft pick with moderate protections.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors & Golden State Warriors Updates
Poeltl was actually a first-round pick of the Raptors in 2016, going 9th overall. He spent the first two seasons of his career north of the border before being sent to San Antonio as part of the package for Kawhi Leonard.
Poeltl is a much more polished player than when he was traded by the Raptors as one of the best defensive centers in the NBA, providing elite rebounding and strong rim protection. On offense, he is an efficient scorer that you can run some offense through as a solid playmaker as well.
Similar to the Raptors, the Warriors have shown hesitancy to meet the Spurs’ asking price. They are looking to build a package around James Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but that isn’t something San Antonio has an interest in. They are also not high on Jonathan Kuminga, as they believe Moses Moody has the most value.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors & Golden State Warriors Updates
But, a package built around Moody alone would not be seen as enough, either. San Antonio is intent on acquiring draft capital in exchange for Poeltl, but they are also not opposed to keeping him if they do not receive an offer they like. There is reportedly mutual interest there, as Poeltl may prefer to stay with the Spurs instead of being traded away.
