Raptors have 3 centers lined up as trade targets amid Jakob Poeltl injuries

Billy Heyen

Raptors have 3 centers lined up as trade targets amid Jakob Poeltl injuries image

The Toronto Raptors need some help in the paint.

They could make a move before the NBA's trade deadline to make that happen with a new center, because Jakob Poeltl has not had the season anyone would've wanted.

Poeltl has been ineffective when on the court, and injuries have kept him away from it for much of the campaign, anyway.

Sportsnet's Michael Grange has reported that the Raptors are indeed looking into multiple trade targets at the center spot.

One? The young Day'Ron Sharpe of the Brooklyn Nets.

Another? Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic, one of the league's physically strongest players.

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He also adds this on Pelicans center Yves Missi:

"I have also heard from multiple sources that second-year centre Yves Missi is available from New Orleans as the Pelicans look to focus their rebuild around rookie big Derik Queen, although the Raptors' interest in the 21-year-old taken 21st in the 2024 draft is unclear."

That would be a fascinating, longer-term acquisition relative to Sharpe and Bitadze, who would both feel more like plug-and-play options for the immediate term.

All of this is worth tracking, though. Toronto has a really solid roster. If the Raptors can figure out the center spot, they could make some serious noise.

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Senior Editor