Mar 18, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) shoots against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Mar 18, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) shoots against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Clippers are in a bit of a pickle right now, following the cap-circumvention scandal. With the loss of five first-round picks and Kawhi Leonard (who will soon be traded to the Raptors), the franchise is still reeling as they try to determine what to do next.
No doubt, the Clippers will be looking for ways to recoup their assets, and they are in a position to do so by taking on bad contracts via trade. One option outlined by insider Jeremy Brener has the Clippers trading for Raptors center Jakob Poeltl, who would likely come with at least one pick attached.
“It would be in the Clippers’ best interest to recoup as much draft capital as possible, which could allow them to take on bad contracts while they approach a rebuilding phase. This could include Jakob Poeltl, whose three-year, $84 million extension kicks in next season when he turns 32 years old,” Brener wrote.
The modern CBA makes it harder than ever for teams to construct championship rosters. With severe penalties for teams that overspend, GMs are being more selective than ever about who they offer big contracts to. Somehow, that didn’t stop the Raptors from offering their starting center, Jakob Poeltl, a four-year, $104 million contract.
It’s a massive overpay for someone of his skill level, especially given his extensive injury history (only one season with at least 80 games played). At 30 years old, he’s not going to develop into a star, and it remains to be seen how he’ll fit on a win-now team alongside Kawhi Leonard. That’s why the Raptors might be better off trading him, if for nothing else than roster flexibility.
By offering a draft pick to any team that takes him, the Raptors can sweeten the deal, drive up trade interest, and start the process of looking for a more fitting replacement. In exchange, the Clippers can get some much-needed draft capital for taking on a bad contract. While it would hardly restore their asset pool, it would certainly help lighten the blow of the NBA’s massive penalties.
There’s also the chance that Poeltl can become a real net positive for the Clippers. With averages of 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 70.0% shooting last season, he showed glimpses of who he could be at his best. For a Clippers team with no better alternatives (Ivica Zubac is with the Pacers now), he might actually raise their ceiling. At the very least, he could be flipped for more assets later, when he’s only got one or two years left on his deal.
In the end, there’s no way to know what the Clippers have planned or if a Poeltl deal is even on their radar, but they don’t have much else to lose at this point. If they can get their hands on a starting-caliber center while getting a future pick in the process, they should not hesitate to accept. They are in a unique position to take all the risks right now, and the Raptors can benefit by freeing up room to tweak their lineup further.