The San Antonio Spurs were at 14-41 and near the bottom of the Western Conference standings at the 2023 trade deadline when they traded starting center Jakob Poeltl to the Raptors. Toronto sought an upgrade in their big man rotation and agreed to part with Khem Birch and three draft picks in what became a highly-discussed trade.
Last summer, Poeltl committed to staying with the Raptors on a four-year, $78 million contract, with a player option in the summer of 2026. In his first full season with Toronto, the 28-year-old averaged 11.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game in 26.4 minutes.
Following the trade, the Spurs drafted Sidy Cissoko in the second round of the 2023 draft and secured the eighth overall pick in 2024, originally top-six protected by the Raptors. Despite Toronto finishing with the sixth-worst record, they fell to eighth in the draft lottery. San Antonio then traded this pick to Minnesota, receiving an unprotected first-round pick in 2031 and a 2030 pick swap, significantly enhancing their return.
Adding to their gains, the Spurs acquired a 2025 second-round pick from Toronto, subsequently trading it to Dallas in a sign-and-trade deal involving Grant Williams. This transaction netted San Antonio a 2030 first-round pick swap and Reggie Bullock, enhancing their assets further.
Fans will have to wait to see the long-term outcomes of these trades, but the Spurs’ strategy has notably bolstered their future prospects.
