It doesn’t seem like Jakob Poeltl is going anywhere.
It was reported by Sportsnet’s Michael Grange on Friday that the Toronto Raptors are unwilling to include Poeltl in a deal for Kevin Durant.
The Raptors and Poeltl might end up getting a contract extension done sooner rather than later, according to Grange:
“Poeltl is eligible for a three-year, $88.2 million extension if he opts into the final year of his current deal, or a four-year, $121.8 million extension if he opts out and signs a new contract starting this season. Opting into the final year of his current $19.5 million deal would give the Raptors some additional cap flexibility for any acquisitions they might want to pursue this summer.”
Poeltl said he wants to stay in Toronto for the long haul, per Grange:
“I’ve bought into this process and I’ve kind of gone through the tough times already. “So this is my home right now, and I really hope it’s going to be in the future as well.”
The Raptors need Poeltl if they want to make a jump and be competitive next season. The Raptors were a far better team when he was healthy on the floor.
There has been a lot of speculation about a potential Durant trade to Toronto and Poeltl’s name has come up a ton because his salary would be key in getting a deal done. However, if the Raptors are unwilling to move off from Poeltl, then a Durant deal seems very difficult to pull off and unlikely to happen.
The 2025 NBA Draft is set for June 25 and 26. The Raptors will have the No. 9 pick in the first-round. They will maybe look to address getting a backup big man to help their center depth behind Poeltl.
Nonetheless, it appears Poeltl will be in Toronto going into next season and a contract extension seems very likely at this point.
Toronto not willing to trade Jakob Poeltl in potential deal for Kevin Durant
The Toronto Raptors continue to navigate the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.
However, Toronto is reportedly unwilling to move Jakob Poeltl in any potential trade for Kevin Durant, according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange.
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