Jakob Poeltl Free Agency Return to Spurs After Trade to Raptors?

After trading Jakob Poeltl to the Toronto Raptors, the San Antonio Spurs are a potential landing spot for the big man.

The San Antonio Spurs could be welcoming back a familiar face.

According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the San Antonio Spurs are among three teams to heavily pursue the 27-year-old big man. Other potential suitors include the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets. 

Things look much different in San Antonio than they did when Poeltl was with the Spurs, and that's because they've added Victor Wembanyama into their young core. There's also potential for Wembanyama to play the power forward position, as his skillset can fit a variety of positions and roles. 

Both the Spurs and Rockets will have spending money when free agency opens up, but of those two, the Spurs are the better fit for Poeltl. 

Poeltl didn't want to join a rebuild, but the Spurs are on the upward climb now. With their franchise cornerstone and young core, the Spurs focus will shift towards development and growing with their current core.

For Poeltl, he will join the team during his prime to be an anchor on the squad, playing the big man role alongside Wembanyama. As he continues to expand on his skillset, Poeltl will see his team around him continually grow, and he can play a part in taking them back to contention. 

The Spurs could also give Poeltl the payday he deserves while doing so. He spent nearly five seasons with the team before being traded back to the Raptors. 

Ideally, the move makes sense for both sides, as Poeltl can play competitive basketball while earning a payday, which is only something the Spurs can provide. If he happened to go back to the Raptors, they are more likely to take a step backwards before they go forwards as a franchise. 

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