Contract Situation with Jakob Poeltl

[Shakril]

Out of curiosity i was looking Raptors contracts up.
BBQ are firmly locked up for a few years, but Jakobs Contract is little more tricky.

He is under contract for this and next year. (2024/2025 and 2025/2026)
His last year (2026/2027) is a Player Option, which means, he possibly has "only" this and next year left to play for the raptors.

Depending ofc, how he plays this year and next year, it could be a real possibility, that he opts out of the contract next year in hope of getting a better one or go to another team as a free agent. (he would be 30y 6mo old and still in his prime, not considering injuries)

It might seem, its far away, but considering how it went with Pascal, FVV and OG or even Trent, that the FO needs to make a decision as early as this year already.


In this case, would it be better to trade him this year to avoid those situations, unsure if he opts in or not
or if you believe he can be part of a team around Barnes, to lock him up as early as possible with a contract extension,
or simply play it out and evaluate at the end?

Considering, that he is not that easy to replace (even though tankers would be very happy), what would be the price tag that is acceptable?


Or am i simply overthinking it?

[Zeno]

I think that it is dependent on how the season is progressing but in all likelihood it will make sense to move him at the deadline. As you say he is important to the developmental ecosystem of the core guys so my price would be relatively high…I’d want a decent 1st and a young prospect that has the ability to develop into our top 6 when we are good.
Barring getting that price, you can approach Yak about opting out and extending at a lower number and this season. With the rising cap, even though he is going into his 30s, it might make sense for him to rip up the final year and extend for something like 3 years at 16 million per flat. Or he can simply opt in and take an extension that descends from there.

[Axe Dragon]

You’re overthinking it.

Axe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MessiahUjiri]

He is an expiring next year, so his value should peak this years trade deadline (buyers get 2 playoff runs).


Remilio.

[wegotthabeet]

Yeah they need to move him this year or he becomes an expiring contract in essence.

[Duffman100]

I have no objection to moving poeltl. But Bruno is a great example that we need someone who can play minutes that doesn't hamper the development of our young guys.

Poeltl at lead provides good screens, passing, finishing and defense.

[vado]

Poeltl is a good center who is clearly one of the leaders in the locker room. We should trade him either this year or next to get something for him. We need to make sure either Olynyk or someone else can replace his center minutes.

[M3tro]

I'd probably prefer to keep him at this point.

We'll be aiming to win next season after hopefully securing a top 5 pick and Poeltl is an excellent piece to have at that stage.

[Psubs]

If you can get a 1st pick in 2025 or 2026 even top 8 protected you pull the trigger.

A contender might have an injury and need him by this deadline. If that pick nets say a Maluach or Ivisic, that would be an acceptable punt on missing out on Edey when obtaining Poeltl.

[ForeverTFC]

I think it’s a bit too early for this. For now, if you get an offer that is really good, you make the trade. Otherwise you keep him. We can approach extension talks/price tag in the off-season.

I will say, i thought Jakob enjoyed himself on the court last night more than I’ve seen in his 2nd stint. He’s particularly supportive of the 2nd round and 2-way guys. I think he may be picking up a mentoring role in the locker room.

[ConSarnit]

I think that it is dependent on how the season is progressing but in all likelihood it will make sense to move him at the deadline. As you say he is important to the developmental ecosystem of the core guys so my price would be relatively high…I’d want a decent 1st and a young prospect that has the ability to develop into our top 6 when we are good.
Barring getting that price, you can approach Yak about opting out and extending at a lower number and this season. With the rising cap, even though he is going into his 30s, it might make sense for him to rip up the final year and extend for something like 3 years at 16 million per flat. Or he can simply opt in and take an extension that descends from there.

Why would he take a lower number? $16m in 2 years is going to be the MLE. He’d basically be taking a 40% paycut. A lower number would be him taking the exact same deal as last time (around 3/60).

As for trading him, I would do it at any time if the offer is decent. I’d probably do it for any 1st in the 2025 draft. Not that it would be fair value if we got the 25th pick back but getting rid of Poeltl also increases the value of our own 1st this year. Fair value for Poeltl is probably a non-lotto pick between 15-22ish.

[ConSarnit]

Out of curiosity i was looking Raptors contracts up.
BBQ are firmly locked up for a few years, but Jakobs Contract is little more tricky.

He is under contract for this and next year. (2024/2025 and 2025/2026)
His last year (2026/2027) is a Player Option, which means, he possibly has "only" this and next year left to play for the raptors.

Depending ofc, how he plays this year and next year, it could be a real possibility, that he opts out of the contract next year in hope of getting a better one or go to another team as a free agent. (he would be 30y 6mo old and still in his prime, not considering injuries)

It might seem, its far away, but considering how it went with Pascal, FVV and OG or even Trent, that the FO needs to make a decision as early as this year already.


In this case, would it be better to trade him this year to avoid those situations, unsure if he opts in or not
or if you believe he can be part of a team around Barnes, to lock him up as early as possible with a contract extension,
or simply play it out and evaluate at the end?

Considering, that he is not that easy to replace (even though tankers would be very happy), what would be the price tag that is acceptable?


Or am i simply overthinking it?

The issue I can see is that having Poeltl really helps float this team (which in turn hurts our own draft pick). If we want to do a 1 year tank then having Poeltl on the team hurts those efforts because he’s the only thing holding the defense together. Conversely, if it is only going to be a 1 year tank we need Poeltl in 2026 to be competent again. If we trade Poeltl we’re probably going to suck in ‘25 and ‘26, which might be more sucking than most are willing to endure.

In an ideal world we would lend Poeltl out for this year and get him back next year, but obviously it doesn’t work that way.

[Scase]

He is an expiring next year, so his value should peak this years trade deadline (buyers get 2 playoff runs).


Remilio.

Boy oh boy, I've never heard this before.

[ItsDanger]

Trade him now if there is interest from other teams before his play declines.

[billy_hoyle]

I like Yak, but if you can get a late -lottery pick for him, I think you 100% need to pull the trigger.

[Jim Todd Jr.]

Keep him… hes a great presence for this squad

If he opts out Im not concerned. We should have another C ready to insert by then.

[dagger]

I don't think there is a bad answer to his situation. Trade him at the deadline for a decent return, yes. Keep him through this season and trade him in the summer, yes, his contract will be an even smaller percentage of cap in 2025-26. Keep him until the deadline next season, then trade him, okay, keep him until he opts out and leaves, well by then maybe we have drafted and/or developed a solid replacement, and leaving helps our cap management. Extend him for a reasonable price, that works too.

In the meantime we can just wait for some team to realize they really need him badly enough to make a decent offer. That could happen sooner, or later. But since he's a good big man on a flat-lined contract, it might well happen sooner. But whatever, I'm cool with it

PS. I'd get greedier if he somehow becomes a better free throw shooter. Last night's FT shooting is unsustainable. His mechanics aren;t that good. At 70% from the line, he becomes an even better value.

[dagger]

I like Yak, but if you can get a late -lottery pick for him, I think you 100% need to pull the trigger.

The teams that will need him will likely not be those with a late lottery pick to offer. Id' be satisfied with a reasonable first in the 2027 or 2028 drafts as there are only so many young players a team can develop at the same time.

[Shakril]

I like Yak, but if you can get a late -lottery pick for him, I think you 100% need to pull the trigger.

The teams that will need him will likely not be those with a late lottery pick to offer. Id' be satisfied with a reasonable first in the 2027 or 2028 drafts as there are only so many young players a team can develop at the same time.

There is one exception - OKC. They already had interest in him, but went with Hartenstein because they didnt want to include a pick it seems. Now Hartenstein is ínjured, and depending on how long or severe, they might be in dire needs of Poeltls services.

But outside of that, you are probably right.

[TimeForChange]

Is there anyone out there who is looking for a center right now?

I would want an unprotected first in 2025 or 2026.