Mock Trade Adds to Raptors' Rebuild, Opens Spurs' Title Window With Fox and Wemby

While he started his NBA career in Canada, Jakob Poeltl emerged as a legitimate starter with the Spurs after being traded in the Kawhi Leonard deal. He was then flipped back to the Raptors, but his fit in San Antonio behind Wembanyama would be incredible. 

This season, he is averaging 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds while blocking 1.3 shots. A defensive anchor down low, he could stop the Spurs from bleeding points while Wembanyama sits.

There are two possible trades Toronto should entertain.

Mock Trade Details

Raptors Get: Keldon Johnson, 2031 first-round pick swap (via SAC)

Spurs Get: Jakob Poeltl

Or

Raptors Get: Chris Paul, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2029 first-round pick (via SAS)

Spurs Get: Jakob Poeltl

After trading for Fox, Chris Paul is a bit redundant, although he did sign with the Spurs as a free agent and San Antonio might want to honor that contract instead of moving him even further away from his California-based family, as a token of goodwill.

If the Spurs can nab Johnson, who the Spurs selected with Toronto's pick in 2019, he could serve as a wing and bolster their depth, although he is under contract for three more seasons, hindering their financial flexibility more than the second proposed trade does.