Lakers have inquired with Raptors about Jakob Poeltl trade

As soon as the Doncic trade went down, the Raptors took note of the simple fact that the Lakers — who were already thin at centre — are now desperate for a quality big man. The Raptors have one in Jakob Poeltl, the 29-year-old Austrian who is having one of his best seasons. The Lakers have inquired about him, but the sense is the Raptors are holding out for an offer that would include a first-round pick (likely with a certain level of protection) and the only one the Lakers have left to offer is a 2031 first they’ve been clutching tightly for years. “The Lakers know it would be pretty hard — not impossible — to get him,” said one source of Poeltl as a trade possibility.

Source: SportsNet

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However, Toronto is rumored to be seeking more than a first-round pick for Poeltl (and perhaps even two). It’s the kind of price the Lakers just wouldn’t pay for a player like him, likely requiring they trade Rui Hachimura and maybe two first-round picks for a center who, ultimately, plays the same position as Davis — only worse. -via Los Angeles Times / January 29, 2025

Aaron Rose: Jakob and Ochai will play. Kelly and IQ will not -via Twitter @AaronBenRose / January 27, 2025

Yet league sources stressed over the weekend that the Lakers are not expected to join the hunt for either Vučević or Toronto's Jakob Poeltl ... while oft-suggested Lakers target Walter Kessler of the Utah Jazz is believed to as close to unavailable as it gets with less than 10 days to go before the trade deadline on Feb. 6 at 3 PM ET. -via marcstein.substack.com / January 27, 2025

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Lakers have inquired with Raptors about Jakob Poeltl trade