TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have reportedly made their first move of the NBA trade deadline — and it’s for a familiar face.
According to multiple media reports, Toronto sent Canadiens center Khem Birch, a protected 2024 first-round pick and two future second-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for center Jakob Poelt on Thursday morning.
ESPN first reported the move.
Poelt spent the first two seasons of his NBA career with the Raptors after being drafted ninth overall by Toronto in 2016. He was traded along with All-Star swingman DeMar DeRozan and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick to the Spurs in the summer of 2018. Forwards Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
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That deal set the foundation for the Raptors’ ongoing championship run in 2019, in which Leonard earned NBA Finals MVP honors.
Poelt, who was already in Toronto on Wednesday night when the Spurs lost 112-98 to the Raptors, spoke after the game about the possibility of being traded again.
“I try to focus on the here and now most of the time,” the 27-year-old said. “I know there’s a lot of noise and stuff. I’m trying to keep that out as much as possible, just trying to focus on these games.
“Whatever time it is tomorrow, whatever it is, I’ll deal with it then.”
Poelt is a significant upgrade at center for the Raptors, who have been looking for a capable arm at the five spot for several seasons.
Poelt is averaging 12.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 26.1 minutes per game in 45 games for the Spurs this season.
Birch, from Montreal, is averaging 2.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.3 blocks in 8.1 minutes per game over 20 games this season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 9, 2023.
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