"Raptors fans got a massive delight when Poeltl proved to be one of the high-impact players of last year's campaign, but even then, we saw glimpses of what's only possible when Poeltl is actually healthy. That question of his availability has been lingering around for the Raptors, and yet, they made the bold decision to lock him down with the expectation that he could be 100% for their team."
"Point being, it was a bad move by the front office, and while Poeltl is definitely a solid player when healthy and at full strength - there will always be a striking red flag surrounding the value of his contract and how long he can stay active in the lineup. So, how could the Toronto Raptors solve this issue? Well, they could just roll with the punches and ride things out, hoping Poeltl comes back eventually."
"With Jaren Jackson Jr. heading to Utah and Ja Morant seemingly on his way out soon, the Grizzlies are seemingly focused on a full-blown teardown and rebuild. After parting ways with Triple J, the Grizzlies opened up a massive $28.9 million TPE (traded player exception), allowing them to take on a heavy contract if the Raptors are interested in engaging in a single-team or multi-team deal."
Jakob Poeltl signed an extension over the offseason, but persistent back problems have reduced his availability and cast doubt on the contract's long-term value. The Raptors counted on Poeltl being fully healthy after last season's impact, yet availability concerns persist even when his play has been strong. The front office faces two primary options: retain Poeltl and hope for recovery, or pursue a trade before the 2026 deadline. The Memphis Grizzlies, amid a teardown after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. and potential roster changes involving Ja Morant, hold a $28.9 million traded-player exception that could allow absorption of Poeltl's contract.
Read at Raptors Rapture
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