Bigs Minute crunch if we trade for Poeltl

[Goldstar88]

Poeltl is a serviceable starting center and the Spurs are looking for compensation that’s in line with that. I think it’s highly unlikely that a team gives up 2 first round picks, which was reportedly what they wanted. They might get 1, though. That’s too much for the Celtics to give up considering he’d just be a rental for this year. Unless you’re moving Rob they won’t be able to afford to keep him.

How do you define serviceable?  I'd rate him as above-average, just outside of the top-10.

Looking at the starting centers on teams around the league, I think he’d be an upgrade on only a few. These are the players I have ahead of him.

Jokic
Embid
Gobert
Sabonis
Ayton
R. Williams
Valencunas
Vucevic
Nurkic
Turner
Claxton
Capela
Allen
Lopez
Sengun
Adams
Carter Jr

Then have young players like Mitchell Robinson, Jalen Duren, and Walker Kessler that will probably be better than Poetl within a year or two. Thomas Bryant is having a very good year and is still only 25, as is Zubac. Jacob is going to be 28 this year, he’s a decent player, but I wouldn’t want him as a starter.

Yeah, you definitely have him underrated.  Numbers I cited last week:

Despite only playing 26 minutes per night (20th), among centers he's 14th in scoring, 13th in rebounding, 8th in assists, 8th in steals, 12th in blocks, 13th in FTA, and 4th in FG%.

He's also excellent defensively.

His numbers aren’t bad, but at the same time he’s playing on one of the top 3 worst teams in the NBA. The way I look at it, the only way he’s coming to Boston and staying here is if Rob is gone. I don’t see that happening. I’d take the Timelord over Poeltl everyday of the week.

[Roy H.]

I kind of rank him close to Goldstar88's as well.

Well, I hope the NBA as a whole shares your evaluation, because if that's the case, it means 1) he won't cost much to acquire, and 2) he'll cost way less than $20 million per year.

My own take is that a lot of fans have no idea how good Poeltl is on defense, nor do they properly value his passing.  Because he doesn't stretch the floor, fans assume he's stiff and slow.

[Roy H.]

Poeltl is a serviceable starting center and the Spurs are looking for compensation that’s in line with that. I think it’s highly unlikely that a team gives up 2 first round picks, which was reportedly what they wanted. They might get 1, though. That’s too much for the Celtics to give up considering he’d just be a rental for this year. Unless you’re moving Rob they won’t be able to afford to keep him.

How do you define serviceable?  I'd rate him as above-average, just outside of the top-10.

Looking at the starting centers on teams around the league, I think he’d be an upgrade on only a few. These are the players I have ahead of him.

Jokic
Embid
Gobert
Sabonis
Ayton
R. Williams
Valencunas
Vucevic
Nurkic
Turner
Claxton
Capela
Allen
Lopez
Sengun
Adams
Carter Jr

Then have young players like Mitchell Robinson, Jalen Duren, and Walker Kessler that will probably be better than Poetl within a year or two. Thomas Bryant is having a very good year and is still only 25, as is Zubac. Jacob is going to be 28 this year, he’s a decent player, but I wouldn’t want him as a starter.

Yeah, you definitely have him underrated.  Numbers I cited last week:

Despite only playing 26 minutes per night (20th), among centers he's 14th in scoring, 13th in rebounding, 8th in assists, 8th in steals, 12th in blocks, 13th in FTA, and 4th in FG%.

He's also excellent defensively.

His numbers aren’t bad, but at the same time he’s playing on one of the top 3 worst teams in the NBA. The way I look at it, the only way he’s coming to Boston and staying here is if Rob is gone. I don’t see that happening. I’d take the Timelord over Poeltl everyday of the week.

Even the days that he's injured?  Haha.

But seriously, if Poeltl is truly only a $15 million per year player, then we can easily afford that. 

[Csfan1984]

It's hard to tell what he will get as a FA. We always see bargains and overpays. I'd assume he is in the 15 to 20 range. Centers don't have the value they used to have.

[Vermont Green]

Poeltl is similar to Grant.  Poeltl will probably get more than Grant, but same range.  Also, Grant is a RFA but I believe Poeltl is a UFA.  What this can come down to though is who has cap space as much as what a player's straight worth is.  Poeltl and Grant will both face this.  Neither is quite good enough to get a big contract.  The limited teams with actual cap space will have better options to spend on.  Once you are past that, you are left with exemptions or sign and trades (and resulting hard caps).

Traditionally, bigs like Poeltl get overpaid, like Olynyk and so many others.  They end up becoming bad contracts but not necessarily bad players.  Once Poeltl tests the market, he will probably end up signing with SAN.  Same for Grant signing with us.  I don't see Poeltl getting traded, but maybe.  Again, he is not quite good enough to put a contender over the top.  He can help, add some bench depth, but what is a team going to give up to get that.  You need to match salary and add picks.

[Goldstar88]

Poeltl is a serviceable starting center and the Spurs are looking for compensation that’s in line with that. I think it’s highly unlikely that a team gives up 2 first round picks, which was reportedly what they wanted. They might get 1, though. That’s too much for the Celtics to give up considering he’d just be a rental for this year. Unless you’re moving Rob they won’t be able to afford to keep him.

How do you define serviceable?  I'd rate him as above-average, just outside of the top-10.

Looking at the starting centers on teams around the league, I think he’d be an upgrade on only a few. These are the players I have ahead of him.

Jokic
Embid
Gobert
Sabonis
Ayton
R. Williams
Valencunas
Vucevic
Nurkic
Turner
Claxton
Capela
Allen
Lopez
Sengun
Adams
Carter Jr

Then have young players like Mitchell Robinson, Jalen Duren, and Walker Kessler that will probably be better than Poetl within a year or two. Thomas Bryant is having a very good year and is still only 25, as is Zubac. Jacob is going to be 28 this year, he’s a decent player, but I wouldn’t want him as a starter.

Yeah, you definitely have him underrated.  Numbers I cited last week:

Despite only playing 26 minutes per night (20th), among centers he's 14th in scoring, 13th in rebounding, 8th in assists, 8th in steals, 12th in blocks, 13th in FTA, and 4th in FG%.

He's also excellent defensively.

His numbers aren’t bad, but at the same time he’s playing on one of the top 3 worst teams in the NBA. The way I look at it, the only way he’s coming to Boston and staying here is if Rob is gone. I don’t see that happening. I’d take the Timelord over Poeltl everyday of the week.

Even the days that he's injured?  Haha.

But seriously, if Poeltl is truly only a $15 million per year player, then we can easily afford that.

As long as Rob is available for the second half of the year and postseason, I’m good with that. I’d be thrilled to have Poeltl off the bench. Not sure he’d like that idea, though.

[liam]

I rather trade for Hartenstein than Poeltl. He's cheaper, more of a role player, and signed through the end of next year.

[Roy H.]

I rather trade for Hartenstein than Poeltl. He's cheaper, more of a role player, and signed through the end of next year.

Is he on the block?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I rather trade for Hartenstein than Poeltl. He's cheaper, more of a role player, and signed through the end of next year.

Is he on the block?

I doubt it. I also think Hermangomez could be as production as him, and would be cheaper.

[liam]

I rather trade for Hartenstein than Poeltl. He's cheaper, more of a role player, and signed through the end of next year.

Is he on the block?

I'm not sure but everyone on that Knicks team should be.

[Goldstar88]

I rather trade for Hartenstein than Poeltl. He's cheaper, more of a role player, and signed through the end of next year.

Is he on the block?

I'm not sure but everyone on that Knicks team should be.

What do you mean? The Knicks are having one of their best seasons in a while. They are 3 games over .500! 

[Vermont Green]

The latest chatter

League sources outside of the Boston organization downplayed the likelihood of a Poeltl acquisition, pointing out that if the Spurs do deal him, the impending free agent would make more sense somewhere he is a better long-term fit. With Horford and Williams each signed through at least the 2024-25 season, Boston likely has no room to commit to Poeltl as a starter on a big, long-term contract. – via Jay King @ The Athletic

[Goldstar88]

The latest chatter

League sources outside of the Boston organization downplayed the likelihood of a Poeltl acquisition, pointing out that if the Spurs do deal him, the impending free agent would make more sense somewhere he is a better long-term fit. With Horford and Williams each signed through at least the 2024-25 season, Boston likely has no room to commit to Poeltl as a starter on a big, long-term contract. – via Jay King @ The Athletic

Makes sense. Feel like he would be a good fit for Toronto. Maybe Washington as well, unless they start trading major pieces.

[Vermont Green]

The latest chatter

League sources outside of the Boston organization downplayed the likelihood of a Poeltl acquisition, pointing out that if the Spurs do deal him, the impending free agent would make more sense somewhere he is a better long-term fit. With Horford and Williams each signed through at least the 2024-25 season, Boston likely has no room to commit to Poeltl as a starter on a big, long-term contract. – via Jay King @ The Athletic

Makes sense. Feel like he would be a good fit for Toronto. Maybe Washington as well, unless they start trading major pieces.

Yes, I agree, Toronto would be interesting.  How about a 3-way deal where they get Poeltl (a great fit for them) and we somehow get Anunoby.

It is not easy, but I was able to get a reasonably realistic trade to work:

Celtics Get:    Anunoby, Achiuwa
Raptors Get:  White, Poeltl
Spurs Get:     Gallinari, Josh Jackson, and picks (From Toronto)

I know that no one wants to give up White but Anunoby and Achiuwa is pretty good return for him.  We may have to throw in a pick also.  Not suggesting this or predicting this, just showing how it might look to get Anunoby?

[liam]

I rather trade for Hartenstein than Poeltl. He's cheaper, more of a role player, and signed through the end of next year.

Is he on the block?

I'm not sure but everyone on that Knicks team should be.

What do you mean? The Knicks are having one of their best seasons in a while. They are 3 games over .500!