The news of the Toronto Raptors offering two of their starters for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, including center Jakob Poeltl appears to be just a smokescreen.
Michael Granger of Sportsnet Canada reported on Friday night that the Raptors are unwilling to include the 29-year-old center in a potential Durant deal.
“The reports that the Raptors are monitoring his situation are credible and make sense, given Toronto had conversations with the Suns back in February about the possibility of a Durant trade.
“But to cut through some of the smoke: multiple sources have confirmed to me that Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl would not be part of any deal — however unlikely a Raptors-Suns deal might be — centred around Durant. The Suns were asking for Poeltl at the trade deadline and got a firm ‘no’ back then, but that hasn’t stopped them from asking, apparently,” Granger wrote.
Granger’s intel came on the heels of Brett Seigel of Clutchpoints reporting earlier Friday that the Raptors had an enticing offer to the Suns, which included Poeltl.
“Even though the Raptors’ offer of either RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley alongside potentially Jakob Poeltl and draft picks is enticing, it is the [Miami] Heat that league personnel are signaling as the team with a better chance at a deal,” Siegel wrote.
Granger explained that the talks involving Poeltl must have come from the Suns’ camp to drive up the price for Durant.
“If the Raptors are presented as having a strong offer waiting in the wings, perhaps one of Durant’s preferred suitors steps up with something richer, or a team like Minnesota — another team with interest that’s outside Durant’s list — sweetens the pot,” Granger wrote.
Raptors Center in Line for Lucrative Extension
Getty Jakob Poeltl of the Toronto Raptors is in line for a lucrative extension amid Kevin Durant trade buzz.
Poeltl, who is coming off his best season in the NBA, is eligible to sign a three-year, $88.2 million extension if he opts into his $19.5 million player option. He could also get a four-year, $121.8 million extension if he opts out.
According to Granger, Poeltl is like to stay in Toronto and sign a contract extension “sooner rather than later.”
Poeltl averaged 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 62.7% from the field. His scoring and rebounding are career-highs while his steals matched his career-best.
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley’s Future
Getty RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley of the Toronto Raptors react against the Boston Celtics.
Barrett and Quickley headlined the return package for OG Anunoby, whom the New York Knicks signed to a five-year, $212.5 million max extension last offseason.
Barrett is coming off a strong second year with the Raptors. The Canadian wing averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 46.8% from the field and 35% from the 3-point line. He will be due for an extension after next season.
Barrett is a former No. 3 pick who was selected after Zion Williamson and Ja Morant in the 2019 NBA draft.
Quickley averaged 17.1 points and 5.8 assists last season for the Raptors. He’s a 37.5% 3-point shooter in his NBA career.
Despite their solid play in Toronto, the Raptors are looking to flip them for significant piece, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, to add to Scottie Barnes and last trade deadline acquisition Brandon Ingram.
“Sources say that the Raptors would be willing to part with either RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a significant roster upgrade,” Fischer wrote.
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