The Raptors are considered one of the contenders that might make a bold move prior to the trade deadline. Head coach Darko Rajakovic has one name atop his wish list but that player is already in the organization, Michael Grange of Sportsnet tweets.
“There’s one guy that I really, really like that I would like to join our team. His name is Jakob Poeltl, that guy can definitely help us,” he said.
Toronto’s starting center has been sidelined since Dec. 21 due to a back injury and he remains out indefinitely. Poeltl recently received targeted pain relief treatment, per the team, and went through a non-contact workout on Tuesday, Grange notes.
Here’s more on the Raptors:
- Jamal Shead‘s omission from the Rising Stars competition is an “egregious snub,” Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. He observes that Shead is fourth in minutes and first in net rating for a team that’s 10 games over .500 and third in the Eastern Conference standings. Shead is averaging 7.2 points and 5.6 assists in 22.4 minutes per game. Shead took the news in stride, Lewenberg adds in another tweet. “I think everybody that made it is having really good years and contributing to their teams. So, I’m not really worried about that,” he said.
- The Raptors are gaining respect around the league after going 4-1 on their West Coast trip, including a 103-101 win over the Thunder, The Athletic’s Eric Koreen writes. They’re among the top five in the league in defensive rating despite the absence of Poeltl, their only true rim protector. Koreen suggests they’re resembling the 2021/22 Raptors, a team with modest preseason expectations that finished fifth in the East.
- Collin Murray-Boyles (left thumb contusion) is listed as questionable to play against the Knicks on Wednesday, Omer Osman tweets. The lottery pick, who is averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, has missed Toronto’s last four games.
Offer Ingram, Poeltl, Battle, Mogbo and picks of some sort for Zion Williamson, Looney and Hawkins
Barnes to SF his natural position
Waive Hepburn and sign two backup C’s, one a prospect
Moses Brown and resign Chomche
Agbaji for Missi and Matkovic, Agbaji for Sharpe, Poetl and late pick for Nurkic, Poetl and late pick for Vucevic….
Im hoping they can get Sabonis. I always thought of him as a poor man’s jokic, and I think he would be a perfect fit. He can score, pass and is an elite rebounder and the raptors defense is good enough to make up for his flaws on that end of the court.
Poetl, Quickley and a first at best.
Raptors have figured it out despite injuries so why get him???
They just need a cost effective center. They just better not trade RJ.
Am I understanding you to say Toronto should trade Agbaji to Portland for Shaedon Sharpe?
Agbaji for Day’ron Sharpe from nets.
Ahhh, thanks. That makes far more sense.