5. Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors
The center position is back and better than ever in the NBA, and that means teams need starting caliber centers that can guard elite big men like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Jakob Poeltl has the size, strength, and rim-protection ability to hold his own against the NBA's elite offensive centers.
While he lacks some as a scorer, play-finishing centers with the ability to protect the paint are in demand, and Jakob Poeltl seems like a prime candidate to be traded this offseason. Last offseason, Poeltl signed a four-year extension that can keep him in Toronto until 2027, but a lot can/has changed over the course of one season.
Since last offseason, the Raptors have gone into full rebuild mode, and that meant they traded a number of their best players in order to get younger and add draft capital. Toronto may view Poeltl as a building block to keep for the next era, but it would also make a lot of sense to trade the big man and add to their future.
The Raptors lost 19 of their last 21 games, so it has become clear that the roster as is will not be able to compete for the playoffs, and Poeltl would likely be their best trade chip this offseason. Additionally, it was reported last year that Poeltl did not want to be on a rebuilding team (via Adam Laskaris of dailyhive.com), meaning it wouldn't come as a surprise if the center was to demand a trade this offseason. If he were to, he would be one of the best trade targets for center-needy NBA teams.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba-trade-targets-2024-offseason
I’m not giving the Clutch Points article any credibility. There are no legit sources there, similar to when everyone and their dog thought trading Siakam for #7 and #14 in 2021 was a real possibility, when in fact it was an analyst floating a trade idea. But it does highlight that those looking from the outside see Poeltl as a possible trade target.
There is no question, trading Poeltl could be a sign of waving the white flag on the 2024-2025 season. However, Poeltl has said he has no desire to be a part of a team seeking a top pick. From the Raptors perspective he was brought in to be a part of a core that included FVV, OG, and Pascal who are all now gone.
Assuming Poeltl is traded for actual assets (prospects and/or picks) and not just a salary dump, would you trade him?