Spurs center Jakob Poeltl is receiving “a lot” of interest on the trade market, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said during a TV appearance (YouTube video link). However, it remains to be seen how open San Antonio will be to moving him.
Identifying Poeltl as one of the “real pivotal players” of this season’s trade deadline, Wojnarowski notes that there seems to be more trade interest than usual in centers like the Spurs’ big man this season, with multiple contenders seeing value in strengthening that position. San Antonio will likely receive some “real significant offers” for Poeltl on or before the February 9 deadline, Wojnarowski adds.
Still, there’s no guarantee the 27-year-old will be on the move. The Spurs like Poeltl a lot and wouldn’t mind hanging onto him, according to Wojnarowski, especially since they’ll have a chance to win the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes in the spring. Woj suggests that the team views Poeltl as an ideal fit at the five alongside Wembanyama, who could slot in at the four.
Of course, even if they finish with the NBA’s worst record, the Spurs won’t have more than a 14% shot at the No. 1 overall pick, so their odds of landing Wembanyama will be slim. Additionally, they’re not in a good position to lock up Poeltl to an extension before he reaches unrestricted free agency this summer.
Poeltl is technically extension-eligible, but because he’s only earning about $9.4MM this season, the amount he can receive on an in-season deal is limited. His maximum extension would be worth about $58MM over four years, which isn’t expected to appeal to him, per Wojnarowski.
“He’s going to get more than that in free agency,” Woj said. “He’s not going to do that deal now.”
Poeltl’s contract situation will create a dilemma for the Spurs, who will have to decide at the trade deadline whether it’s worth taking the best offer on the table or whether they want to roll the dice with the veteran center next summer, betting on either re-signing him or recouping some value in a sign-and-trade deal.
How is he Ben Simmons level bad at FTs?
Most bigs are terrible free throw shooters.
“Ben Simmons level bad” at FTs would be an improvement for Poeltl. In fact, this season Poeltl is averaging 59.2% at the line, which is literally just a tick higher than Ben Simmon’s career average of 59.1%.
Shaq was notoriously bad at FTs at 52.7% for his career. Poeltl’s career average is 52.8%…
Deal him for the best offer, guarantee yourself a return, especially if there’s a ton of interest
He would fit nicely next Sabonis in Sacramento.
What decade do you think this is?
Yes he would.
I don’t want beautiful stats from “ugly” team
But yes to Lakers
Beverley and top-20 protected pick for him
Lakers save $12 million
Wrong direction. Beverley is way to old for the Spurs. No reason for them to take on all that extra salary.
The Spurs would do it for the pick, but I don’t think the Spurs would want protections on it. Beverly is on a one year and the Spurs are still below the salary floor.
The pick has to be unprotected and it has to their ‘27 pick but spurs haven’t made a trade with lakers since Pop became the coach
how about this,
Lakers get McDermott, Poeltl
Spurs get Beverley, Walker, Nunn and 1 unprotected pick
Lakers save $9 million
Utah Jazz you are on the clock. You won’t get better with all those draft picks ever.
Utah is not close to being a title contender. Poetl is probably not a starter on a title contender. So, no real reason to trade those picks for him. If they keep developing their core, they can finish it off through FA, or a key trade, when they are ready.
Utah owns 15 firsts over the next 7 drafts and that doesn’t even account for all of the players still on the roster that could add to that number. Their clock hasn’t even come close to starting yet.
Spurs trade JP to Warriors, Anderson to Kings. Warriors trade Wiseman and J Green to Kings. Kings trade Holmes, Davis and a 1st rd pick and two 2nd picks to Spurs and Metu and a 2nd to the Warriors