Raptors Acquire Center Jakob Poeltl in Trade With Spurs, per Report

Poeltl returns to Toronto after the Raptors drafted him in the first round in 2016.

On the brink of falling out of the playoff race, the Raptors swung a trade in the early hours of Thursday morning in hopes of making a late push.

Toronto has reportedly acquired center Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. San Antonio will receive Khem Birch, a protected 2024 first-round draft pick and two future second-round picks in return. The Raptors intend to sign Poeltl to a new contract, as the 27-year-old is set to become a free agent after this season.

The move returns Poeltl with the team that drafted him, as Toronto took Poeltl with the No. 9 pick in 2016. He was a key piece in the Kawhi Leonard trade, which resulted in a championship for the Raptors.

Poeltl is averaging 12.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season, and owns a 62.7% career shooting percentage.