Report: Spurs' Poeltl gaining significant interest from Raptors, Celtics
San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl is gaining significant interest from the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The Austrian big man apparently declined a four-year, $58-million contract extension from the Spurs prior to the campaign, Charania adds. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
San Antonio is seeking two first-round picks in exchange for Poeltl, sources told Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
Poeltl has prior history with the Raptors and would fill a long-standing need at the five. The former lottery pick averaged 5.4 points and 4.1 boards over two seasons north of the border before being dealt to San Antonio in the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster trade.
Meanwhile, Poeltl's addition would solidify the Celtics' second unit and provide some insurance behind the oft-injured Robert Williams.
Poeltl has emerged as one of the NBA's top defensive centers during his time in San Antonio. He currently sits 18th in both blocks (1.2 per contest) and contested twos (272). Opponents are shooting only 59.8% against Poeltl on attempts within six feet of the basket, which ranks 11th among players who've defended at least 250 field goals from that range.
Poeltl is averaging 12.3 points and 9.4 boards over 35 appearances in 2022-23. His career-high 15.7% assist percentage ranks in the 88th percentile among big men, per Cleaning the Glass.