NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics could target Jakob Poeltl for trade from Spurs
Jakob Poeltl has risen as a prime candidate for the Boston Celtics as they are rumored to be looking to repair their lack of depth at center.
Robert Williams III remains out for over a month, and the Celtics have been suffering due to a lack of rotation in their bigs.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Jakob Poeltl’s name keeps resurfacing in the conversation regarding the Celtics' search for a new center.
The reason being is Poeltl entering free agency after this season. This is the final year in Poeltl’s contract, and with the way he is playing, he believes that he will make more money if he decides against a contract extension with San Antonio.
With the Celtics in need of a big sooner rather than later, they could offer him what he wants in order to get what they need.
Of course, these talks are all merely still speculation.
“The name that has come up that people have speculated has been Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs," Windhorst said.
Poeltl is averaging 13.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game in 15 games. Stats like these would highly complement the style of basketball that the Boston Celtics play. Poeltl seems to fill an offensive slot while still maintaining a more than promising effort in his role as a big.
Holding a double-double average in points and rebounds, with 1.2 blocks, shows that Poeltl excels as a center and can still put the ball down when needed. that's exactly what would work in Boston.
"The name that has come up that people have speculated has been Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs."
- ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on potential trade targets for the Boston Celtics https://t.co/qrTbvjKWeF
Do the Spurs release Jakob Poeltl?
Windhorst said that the Spurs might want to keep Jakob Poeltl, regardless of being unable to extend him.
There has been past attempts by San Antonio to talk extension, and Poeltl has voiced his belief that he deserves he is worth more than their offer.
“They tried to extend him before the season," Windhorst said. He will become an unrestricted free agent. They have the lowest payroll in the league. San Antonio can certainly afford to pay him. Maybe that's what they're going to do at the end of the season.”
Regardless of the Spurs’ ability to pay Jakob Poeltl, he may want to leave the city. If Boston can show its interest with a respectable enough dollar figure, Poeltl’s head may turn in their direction.
“Poeltl can sign an extension that can average $14 million per year," Windhorst said. "He thinks he can do better, and I don’t blame him, the way he’s playing he probably can.”
Again, San Antonio can still decide to capitalize and keep their big. But Windhorst talked about the max offer the Spurs would be able to give Jakob:
“I know the max they can offer him $14.5 million, $15 million on average," Windhorst said. "He is a trade candidate”
Ultimately, it buckles down to whether or not Poeltl believes that he is worth more than $15 million, and apparently he does. If that is the case, it seems like the big is leaning towards hoping there is a team that can offer him what he sees as his value.
Maybe the Boston Celtics are, in fact, that team.