Toronto Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl prefers not to be in a rebuilding situation next NBA season, according to ESPN.
Poeltl becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30.
“However, the amount of activity coming out of the Toronto front office makes it difficult to project what they will do. It’s also not clear whether they will be able to meet the financial demands of center Jakob Poeltl in free agency, who prefers not to be in a rebuilding situation next season, sources told ESPN.”
Poeltl played for the San Antonio Spurs and Raptors this past season. He averaged 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 72 games while shooting 62.9% from the field and 59.2% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl & Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors missed the playoffs this past season and fired head coach Nick Nurse. Nevertheless, they may not blow up the roster this offseason, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.
“Breaking things up and selling them off for parts has never been seriously entertained in private conversations I’ve had,” Grange wrote. “Publicly the stance hasn’t been all that different. The Raptors don’t see themselves as all that inferior — if at all — to the Miami Heat, who have made the NBA Finals two of the last four seasons. The ‘lowly’ Knicks made the second round this year, and the Sixers, Bucks — and even the Celtics — have proven themselves beatable in the right circumstances.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jakob Poeltl & Toronto Raptors Updates
Poeltl has career averages of 8.1 points, 6.5 boards and 1.6 assists with the Spurs and Raptors. It will be interesting to see where the 27-year-old is playing next season. If Poeltl doesn’t re-sign with the Raptors, multiple playoff teams are expected to have interest in him.
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