Per MassLive’s Brian Robb, the San Antonio Spurs passed on the Boston Celtics’ offer for center Jakob Poeltl to accept that of the Toronto Raptors, sending the Austrian big man north of the border instead of to Massachusetts. Per Rob, “Boston offered Payton Pritchard, Danilo Gallinari, and multiple future second-round picks for the big man,” but were beaten by the Raptors’ package including a top-6 protected 2024 first-round pick, two second round picks, and center Khem Birch.
Robb doubts Boston could have beaten that offer even if they had elected to include a first round pick, and we concur given the likely value of Boston’s picks as a contender in the near-term future.
San Antonio, known for doing right by their players, likely also saw the situation in Toronto as more in line with what Poeltl was hoping for in terms of a role.
The team is not “looking to trade the 27-year-old forward who is internally regarded as one of the most important pieces of this youthful roster” barring a “‘can’t-turn-down… https://t.co/bY9QDdn3wD
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 9, 2023
Boston now turns its attention to the other targets on their list and has until 3 pm ET to get the call in if a deal is to be had.
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