Fact or fiction on Chicago Bulls’ biggest NBA trade deadline rumors: Trading for Jakob Poeltl?
Alongside the Schröder rumors, another player that has recently had his name tossed onto the trade block is San Antonio’s Jakob Poeltl. In the midst of a career-best season, Poeltl should be an attractive trade target for several teams looking to bolster their interior talent.
Among these teams, the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have reportedly already opened up discussions regarding the Austrian big man. Marc Stein was the first to report on this developing story.
The Chicago Bulls are showing interest in trading for San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, per @TheSteinLine. https://t.co/nvY7rvUANb
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) February 4, 2022
Poeltl (it’s pronounced like turtle but with a P, in case you were wondering) is averaging 13.3 points, 9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game this season. He’s been a force on both ends of the court, posting a positive net rating on both ends of the court.
If the Bulls were to make a move for Poeltl, they’d instantly add another effective pick-and-roll option on offense to reduce Chicago’s reliance on LaVine and DeRozan isolation possessions in the playoffs. They’d also be adding a huge defender, as Poeltl’s 7-foot-1 frame could provide some much-needed relief for a Bulls defense that is handicapped by Vucevic’s interior defense.
In truth, Poeltl is a player that instantly raises Chicago’s ceiling by making the team better without needing the ball in his hands. The real concern, however, is what it would cost to acquire the big man in a trade. The Spurs are reportedly looking for “a good player and a first-round pick”.
It’s almost a certainty that San Antonio would open any trade discussions with the desire to receive Patrick Williams. It’s also almost a certainty that Chicago would be unwilling to send Patrick Williams out for anything short of a bonafide star player.
This means a potential deal would most likely revolve around dealing away Coby White and Portland’s first-round pick. While Bulls fans would be sad to see Coby go, this is the type of move I think Karnisovas and Eversley would be willing to make this team a true contender.
The primary obstacle facing this potential deal is simply whether or not the Spurs would reciprocate in their desire to make a deal. Coby is no doubt a talented player, but it remains to be seen if San Antonio would be interested in adding him to a frontcourt already loaded up with quality young players like Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Devin Vassell, and Lonnie Walker.