11 Wildcard trade candidates ahead of the deadline
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trade Candidate: Jakob Poeltl
San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl might be the best available center on the trade market; at least the Spurs are acting as though he is. The team has raised eyebrows by asking for two lightly protected first-round picks for a player on an expiring contract.
They probably know that they are unlikely to receive that, but it may be a negotiation strategy to drive up the price. With several teams interested in trading for Poeltl, a first-round pick should be the minimum return that the Spurs accept, with the quality of the pick playing a factor. After all, a first-round pick from Toronto, which could be a lottery pick, is worth more than one from the Celtics.
Throw in a promising young player or trade rights to a distant first-round pick, and the Spurs might agree to a deal. On the other hand, the Spurs reportedly have long-term plans for Poeltl and are in a good position to re-sign him in free agency. However, by keeping him, they lower their chances of landing the first overall pick and selecting a generational player in Victor Wembanyama.
We may not know if Poeltl gets moved until after the 3 p.m. deadline because the decision on whether to move him could go down to the wire.