Who Should Spurs Target on Trade Market to Help Wemby?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jan 5, 2025 2:50 PM ET

So far, 2025 has been a massive success for the San Antonio Spurs. They have played two games, both against the Denver Nuggets and won the first one on the final play and managed to take the three-time MVP to overtime in the second. However, Saturday's loss was preventable, except the Spurs were unable to stay in front in minutes Victor Wembanyama did not play.

Backup center Zach Collins played 14 minutes in the first game and 10 minutes in the second. He got in foul trouble in both games and couldn't buy a basket. He was a combined -23 in those two games.

As a result of his lackluster play, fans have called for the Spurs to make a trade, and former San Antonio center Jakob Poeltl is high on the wish list.

In five seasons with the Silver and Black, the "Block Lobster" averaged 8.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. In the 2021-22 season, he had a career year, posting 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.7 rejections.

Wembanyama is certainly the starting center of the future in San Antonio, but adding a reliable backup big behind him should be a priority before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, and the Toronto Raptors have little use for a veteran as they rebuild.

If the Spurs offered a first-round pick and matched Poeltl's $19.5 million salary (maybe with Collins), the Raptors would have trouble saying no to such a deal.

Poeltl is a traditional center and could, in theory, share the floor with Wemby occasionally, although his main focus would be mitigating the damage when the young superstar sits, which has so far eluded Collins this season, who is having one of the worst years of his career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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