Will The Celtics Trade For Jakob Poeltl?
Do the Celtics need Robert Williams insurance? Williams still hasn’t suited up for the Celtics, as was expected, because of a knee injury he suffered a year ago. All indications point to Williams being ready at some point this season. However, if the Celtics still want some frontcourt insurance, it appears they already have a name on their wishlist. Will we see Jakob Poeltl in green by the trade deadline?
Brian Windhorst of ESPN has suggested that the Celtics would be interested in acquiring the Spurs’ big man:
“The question is does this team need to go out and get another big man who can defend,” Windhorst said. “The name that has come up as people have speculated is Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs. (Boston) did a deal with the Spurs last year for Derrick White.”
“The Spurs may want to keep Jakob Poeltl but they were unable to extend Poeltl,” Windhorst said. “They tried to extend him before the season so he will become an unrestricted free agent. They have the lowest payroll in the league and maybe they will (pay him) at the end of the season.”
Boston sent Romeo Langford, Josh Richardson, a 2022 first round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick swap a year ago in the deal that landed Derrick White in Boston. It isn’t inconceivable to imagine that the C’s and Spurs could line up on a deal once again for the services of Poeltl.
Poeltl, 27, is in the final year of his contract paying him $9.38 million for the 2022-23 season. The former first round pick out of Utah would be a pure rental for Boston and likely wouldn’t come for cheap. Poeltl is shooting 66% from the floor while averaging 13.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
My question here is, I just fail to see a fit on the roster. If Timelord is out, then yes, this very much makes sense. However, I’m not sure I see it when Williams is back. Boston does well in the small ball lineups where either Al Horford or Grant Williams occupies the center spot. The spacing has been fantastic and guys like Sam Hauser have made it splash all year. Do you really want to go all in on a center? How’s that working out for Minnesota right now?
If the Celtics are going to lump the Danilo Gallinari contract into trade talks, the Jae Crowder reunion wouldn’t be a bad idea. Not to say that Crowder is better than Poeltl. He just fits Boston adding another switchable wing to the army of Jays. If you get it, you get it.
Poeltl would obviously be a sick addition but what would the trade cost be? Plus, Boston wouldn’t even be able to entertain the idea until Gallinari is trade eligible on December 15th. Also, keep in mind, Boston is without their first round pick because of the Malcolm Brogdon trade.
