RealGM

The NBA's unofficial start to trade season typically begins at the G League Showcase, which begins this week in Orlando. Jake Fischer reports that "centers potentially on the move figure to rank as one of the prime conversation starters among executives." 

The Boston Celtics are an example of a team with five centers in Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, Neemais Queta, Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet. Each of the big men provide something a little different to the Celtics.

"I think, today, you need specialty centers," one Eastern Conference staffer told Fischer recently.

The Oklahoma City Thunder invested heavily in the position when they signed Isaiah Hartenstein last offseason despite the presence of Chet Holmgren. 

The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors are among the teams looking at the center trade market.

Jonas Valanciunas, Nikola Vucevic, Clint Capela, Robert Williams III, Walker Kessler, Chris Boucher, Day'Ron Sharpe, Trey Lyles, Nick Richards and Daniel Theis are among the potentially available trade candidates.

Via Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

I got a feeling Pertl will be traded at the deadline as well.

Roy T wrote:I got a feeling Pertl will be traded at the deadline as well.

Scalabrine has been beating the drum for Poeltl for 2.5 years now from his Celtics team employee POV

Boston obviously doesn't need him now but there have to be other teams who feel similarly

I think it would have to be a really enticing trade for Masai to move him because we don't have anyone to step into the starting C role, other than Olynyk & Fernando who are more backup & 3rd string calibre.

Raptors Realtor wrote:I think it would have to be a really enticing trade for Masai to move him because we don't have anyone to step into the starting C role, other than Olynyk & Fernando who are more backup & 3rd string calibre.

Are you afraid TOR would start losing if Olynyk had to start? They could start Gradey Dick at center and their season will look just about the same.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Raptors Realtor wrote:I think it would have to be a really enticing trade for Masai to move him because we don't have anyone to step into the starting C role, other than Olynyk & Fernando who are more backup & 3rd string calibre.

Are you afraid TOR would start losing if Olynyk had to start? They could start Gradey Dick at center and their season will look just about the same.

Good one... Such a troll... we're obviously tanking genius, but we have Poeltl locked up for another season and a player option for 26-27, so no reason to get rid of him for pennies on the dollar since he fills a need adequately, like I said if we received a suitable offer we'd deal him... Can't believe I had to explain this.

Chris Boucher and not Jakob Poeltl being mentioned is crazy to me

Raptors Realtor wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Raptors Realtor wrote:I think it would have to be a really enticing trade for Masai to move him because we don't have anyone to step into the starting C role, other than Olynyk & Fernando who are more backup & 3rd string calibre.

Are you afraid TOR would start losing if Olynyk had to start? They could start Gradey Dick at center and their season will look just about the same.

Good one... Such a troll... we're obviously tanking genius, but we have Poeltl locked up for another season and a player option for 26-27, so no reason to get rid of him for pennies on the dollar since he fills a need adequately, like I said if we received a suitable offer we'd deal him... Can't believe I had to explain this.

Did you just call me a name? I'm hurt!

Who said anything about pennies on the dollar? If you don't care about winning and he isn't a part of your long term plans, than you move him for what you can get. If the most you can get is a 2nd and expiring money, grab it with both hands. You certainly don't keep him so that your tanking roster has a balanced starting 5. Take what you can get and build for the future.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Raptors Realtor wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:Are you afraid TOR would start losing if Olynyk had to start? They could start Gradey Dick at center and their season will look just about the same.

Good one... Such a troll... we're obviously tanking genius, but we have Poeltl locked up for another season and a player option for 26-27, so no reason to get rid of him for pennies on the dollar since he fills a need adequately, like I said if we received a suitable offer we'd deal him... Can't believe I had to explain this.

Did you just call me a name? I'm hurt!

Who said anything about pennies on the dollar? If you don't care about winning and he isn't a part of your long term plans, than you move him for what you can get. If the most you can get is a 2nd and expiring money, grab it with both hands. You certainly don't keep him so that your tanking roster has a balanced starting 5. Take what you can get and build for the future.

Ya we won't be dealing him for a measly 2nd rounder, that's exactly what I meant when I said pennies on the dollar. Dude is 29 and averaging 15/11/3 with 2.5 stlks. He fits into our plans gong forward. Raps have got to be in the top 3 in terms of man Gabe's missed due to injury this season, we haven't had a healthy starting lineup yet. This team with a top 5 pick from the upcoming draft will definitely be in the playoffs next season.

Raptors Realtor wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Raptors Realtor wrote:
Good one... Such a troll... we're obviously tanking genius, but we have Poeltl locked up for another season and a player option for 26-27, so no reason to get rid of him for pennies on the dollar since he fills a need adequately, like I said if we received a suitable offer we'd deal him... Can't believe I had to explain this.

Did you just call me a name? I'm hurt!

Who said anything about pennies on the dollar? If you don't care about winning and he isn't a part of your long term plans, than you move him for what you can get. If the most you can get is a 2nd and expiring money, grab it with both hands. You certainly don't keep him so that your tanking roster has a balanced starting 5. Take what you can get and build for the future.

Ya we won't be dealing him for a measly 2nd rounder, that's exactly what I meant when I said pennies on the dollar. Dude is 29 and averaging 15/11/3 with 2.5 stlks. He fits into our plans gong forward. Raps have got to be in the top 3 in terms of man Gabe's missed due to injury this season, we haven't had a healthy starting lineup yet. This team with a top 5 pick from the upcoming draft will definitely be in the playoffs next season.

It's possible, the East is pretty thin. But I was not suggesting that Poeltl was only worth a 2nd. There were two "if's" in my statement.

1) If you don't care about winning.
2) If he isn't a part of your long term plans.

If both of those statements are true than there is no reason to hang onto him. You move him to the highest bidder. Realistically, I would expect the return to be somewhere between two 2nds and two heavily protected 1sts. Him being the only legit starting center in TOR will not be a factor.

Maybe they trade him for a player(s) that fit in better with their timeline, which is realistically a few years down the road. Maybe there's a center coming back in the deal.