NBA Rumors: Raptors gunning for 2 Big Trade Targets


Ever since Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka left in 2020, the Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors have been searching for a center. Their sights seem to be firmly set on a reunion with Jakob Poeltl. The San Antonio Spurs' big man has been a revelation this season, after starting his career in Toronto. 

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, "the Raptors have flirted with the idea of moving a first-round pick to re-acquire Poeltl."  The price, however, appears to be a bit more than that, as Insider Marc Stein recently reported that the Spurs are looking for a 1st-rounder plus a "quality player". 

Poeltl is having, by far, the best year of his young career, averaging 13.3 points and 9 rebounds, to go along with 1.7 blocks.  He was best friends with Toronto's Pascal Siakam when the two were part of the Raptors 'bench mob' in the years leading up to the team's 2019 championship. Poeltl was traded along with DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi Leonard trade. 

Other centers on the Raptors' secondary wish list include Indiana's Myles Turner (currently injured), Boston's Robert WilliamsNicolas Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets and Portland's Jusuf Nurkic.

Raptors also interested in Gallinari

The HoopsHype report also says the Raptors "have expressed interest" in trading for the Atlanta Hawks' Danilo Gallinari. The 33-year-old is definitely on the downside of his career, at 10.3 points a game—the lowest scoring output of his 15-year career since his rookie season in 2009. 

Raptors president Masai Ujiri acquired Gallinari 10 years ago for the Denver Nuggets in his blockbuster trade of Carmelo Anthony. 

Scotto says the Raptors would be looking to use Goran Dragic's expiring contract in such a deal. 

Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports