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On the brink of falling out of the playoff race, the Raptors swung a trade in the early hours of Thursday morning in hopes of making a late push.
Toronto has reportedly acquired center Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. San Antonio will receive Khem Birch, a protected 2024 first-round draft pick and two future second-round picks in return. The Raptors intend to sign Poeltl to a new contract, as the 27-year-old is set to become a free agent after this season.
The move returns Poeltl with the team that drafted him, as Toronto took Poeltl with the No. 9 pick in 2016. He was a key piece in the Kawhi Leonard trade, which resulted in a championship for the Raptors.
Poeltl is averaging 12.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season, and owns a 62.7% career shooting percentage.
