On Wednesday night after what turned out to be his last game as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, Jakob Poeltl returned to the team hotel in mid-town Toronto as he would have in any circumstance, given the Spurs weren’t planning to leave until Friday morning.
But in the wee hours plans changed, and Poeltl learned he was going to be a Toronto Raptor again. As the team he’d played four-and-a-half seasons for packed up and headed for the airport Thursday morning, Poeltl made his way down to the OVO Athletic Centre on Lake Shore Boulevard, had his breakfast, said hello to some familiar faces and then had his physical for his new/old team.
As mid-season trades go, the disruption was minimal.
“It definitely helps,” Poeltl said when he met with the Toronto media for the first time since the deal was made official. “Even just getting to the facility [Thursday]; watching shoot around [Friday morning]. The halls are familiar, everything looks the same, feels the same, that definitely helps.”
How soon Poeltl can help the Raptors is the urgent question. Toronto would love it if the big Austrian can pitch in right away.
Setting aside whether this was the proper time for the Raptors to be buyers at the trade deadline, that the Raptors were able to acquire as a smart, defensive-minded big who fills a significant gap in the Raptors roster for a decent cost in terms of assets — Khem Birch to match salaries and a future first-round pick that is protected 1-6 in 2024, ’25 and ‘26 and two unprotected second-round picks – was decent business.
Because Poeltl is familiar with the city, the arena, and the practice facility – not to mention head coach Nick Nurse and teammates Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and O.G. Anunoby — the hope is that his learning curve will be short and sweet, and the dividends of the deal can be realized quickly.
The Raptors don’t have loads of time to spare. As of Friday morning Toronto (26-30) are in 10th place and in sole possession of the final play-in spot. And while they’re just 4.5 games out of sixth place and a best-of-seven first-round series against the eventual No.3 seed, Toronto only has 26 games left to play. Just to pull ahead of current sixth seed Miami – presuming the Heat continue at their 45-win pace – Toronto has to go 20-6 down the stretch.
Anything is possible but kicking around at .500 from now until April is not an option if the Raptors really want to turn their season around.
Poeltl is on board – although he’ll be a game-time decision against the Utah Jazz Friday night as the final legal clearances on the deal are signed off on.
But whether his second Raptors debut is tonight against Utah or Sunday against his old head coach Dwane Casey and the Detroit Piston, Poeltl is eager to play for something again after two seasons of rebuilding in San Antonio.
“I was excited [about the trade],” he said. “It was a little bit of mixed emotions. I’m leaving a life behind in San Antonio, I was there for four and a half years. This past season was a little bit tough because we’ve been losing games, so I [am] excited to get out there and play winning basketball again and play for a playoff spot … those are things that very much excited me.
“And then also just having guys here that I was familiar with, like getting back with P, Fred, O.G. and all those guys. Yeah, it should make for a fun year, for sure.”
The feeling is mutual. Siakam was Poeltl’s closest friend on the team when he was in Toronto and was just showing signs of breaking out when the trade that brought Leonard (and sent DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio with Poeltl) went down. Siakam’s become a two-time all-star – he was named as an injury replacement by the commissioner’s office Friday – and the primary option for the Raptors.
Meanwhile, Poeltl has become one of the better defending big men in the league and an effective playmaker, rebounder, and finisher. He joins the Raptors with averages of 12.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game, numbers that all should get a bump if he starts playing more minutes in Toronto than the 26 he was averaging as the Spurs emphasized development over winning.
“He’s a big presence down there. His touch is continuing to get better, [but] that was always good. His passing [is better] … maybe he’ll pass me the ball a couple times,” Siakam joked. “His vision and his understanding of the game and just having someone who has that presence around is gonna help … I think adding someone coming in who is going to commit to what we’re doing and contribute and will understand our team, all those things [will help]. It’s great to have him. We’re gonna see how much it helps. I know for sure when we have to play those big guys I don’t have to guard [them], so that’ll be good.”
And while Siakam is happy to see his old friend again, he’s not about to offer up a guest room or chauffeur him around town. Friends are friends, but their mutual business is basketball, and for all parties, the deal needs to work on the floor, and the sooner the better.
“I don’t think [trading for Poeltl] it was a favour or anything,” said Siakam. “It’s a need. It’s someone that’s good at his job, does it to the best of their ability … It helps that he knows [his way] around, and people know him, and he was drafted by this organization.
“And I think that’s really it: he fits in both ways. Like you need a big, you get a big, and how much better can it be if it’s a big that you know already, that you drafted, that you vetted, and you know everything about? I think that’s how I see it. I don’t think I see it any other way.”
The Raptors hope the past and the future can merge, and Poeltl can be part of the solution for some time to come. As one of the better big men available on the trade market, there was considerable interest across the league, with the Boston Celtics taking a long look at Poeltl as a starter-level big who could offer insurance given the age of Al Horford and the injury history of Robert Williams, and before everything imploded in Brooklyn it’s believed that the Nets were hoping to add a big man of Poeltl’s quality.
The Raptors in turn had to make a fairly significant investment to win the deal and in doing so had to feel confident that Poeltl was amenable to re-signing in Toronto as a free agent this summer.
Sounds like that’s a go:
“Definitely. I think they wouldn’t have traded for me if they don’t see it as a long-term option,” said Poeltl who will be wearing No.19 this time around as opposed to No.42 previously (‘a new chapter,’ he said). For me, It’s definitely something I think I can see for the long term as well. [but] that’s summer stuff that I’m not going to worry about now.
“Now I’m trying to focus on getting some wins, getting back to a playoff spot … and figure out this team. There’s a lot of new faces out there that I gotta build some chemistry with, so that’s my main focus right now and then I’ll figure out all the rest when it comes to the summertime.”
For now and for all concerned, the clock is ticking.