Jakob Poeltl

[Marcus Bryant]

And, he's not a Slovenian center. That is always a plus.

This guy is compe ive and plays with aggression. On screen rolls he's capable of handling the ball and attacking the rim. Seems to like doing so because that's like 99% of his offensive highlights.

And he's a legit shot blocker.

[Marcus Bryant]

Since his defense is more reactionary and aggressive, he does tend to foul a lot - his rookie year he averaged 2 fouls a game in 12 minutes. That's an area the Spurs will need to work with him on - maybe Coach Duncan can help a little there. Not to mention defensive rebounding, though he's definitely good to great on the offensive glass.

Looking for highlights to see what, if any, jump shot he has. In olden times teams would work on developing his post game. If this guy had a good 12 to 15 foot jumper that would add $25MM to his next contract easy. Hopefully he's been in a gym shooting jumpers all summer.

[Biggems]

Put him in the gym with Timmy for a year and he should improve on both ends of the floor, that is, if he can even keep up with 21.

[james evans]

Im reading this guy has the potential to be a healthy splitter .

He needs to be starting if thats the case. Gasol shouldnt start at all. Problem going to be spacing on offense but im sure spurs coaching will figure it out.

Gasol shouldn't even be in the league.

[playbonner15]

Liking this signing. Can't wait to see him with Manu and Dejounte. Also will cover some of the defensive weakness if paired with Dejounte. There's some Splitter comparison but this dude can run & defend, block and dunk, although Splitter had great one on one defense when healthy. He's a very good addition to what the team has been lacking since Timmy left and If he develops a midrange shot and a 3 point shot then he'll be a starter in no time.

[Seventyniner]

I'm not so sure Pau will be stretch-waived anymore. They lost $30 million in expirings with Kawhi and Green.

Stretching Pau won't give them that much room anyway in a summer with a lot of teams that will have a lot more money. Stretching Pau will mean ... $12 million + Room Exception? And that's if they don't use a lot of their MLE remainder this summer or sit on the BAE

I could easily see them keeping Pau for the 'culture'

I haven't paid this much attention before, but do summers tend to alternate where many and then few teams have a lot of cap space? If a bunch of teams have space next summer, they could use most of it on multi-year deals, meaning less total cap space league-wide in 2020.

You're right that stretching Pau's contract is less likely because the Spurs seem to be lining up a bunch of contracts to expire in 2020.

[longhorn]

From Poetl's Facebook:

"Thank you Toronto, thank you Raptors! For your support, new friendships and our time together! Two great and exciting years. I will start a new chapter in San Antonio now, I'm really looking forward to the new challenge and journey. I want to settle in as quickly as possible and will do everything to support my new team."



https://www.facebook.com/JakobPoeltl...57165750995256

[Chinook]

I haven't paid this much attention before, but do summers tend to alternate where many and then few teams have a lot of cap space? If a bunch of teams have space next summer, they could use most of it on multi-year deals, meaning less total cap space league-wide in 2020.

You're right that stretching Pau's contract is less likely because the Spurs seem to be lining up a bunch of contracts to expire in 2020.

The Spurs also tend to worry about the tax. They will have to decide to keep Gay or not. Then they'll have the MLE and LLE to use. Who knows if Bertans or Forbes have POs and end up needing them? I don't think it's a good bet that Pau is on the team next year. I strongly doubt he will be stretched. But waived? Great chance, especially as LMA will be even more of a center, and Poeltl should be in line for a solid rotation spot.

The happy medium here would be PATFO finding a way to turn Pau's contract into a good player who has more money guaranteed in 2019-2020, preserving future cap space but not forcing them to keep an old and somewhat useless player for way more money than they have to.

[DPG21920]

The Spurs also tend to worry about the tax. They will have to decide to keep Gay or not. Then they'll have the MLE and LLE to use. Who knows if Bertans or Forbes have POs and end up needing them? I don't think it's a good bet that Pau is on the team next year. I strongly doubt he will be stretched. But waived? Great chance, especially as LMA will be even more of a center, and Poeltl should be in line for a solid rotation spot.

The happy medium here would be PATFO finding a way to turn Pau's contract into a good player who has more money guaranteed in 2019-2020, preserving future cap space but not forcing them to keep an old and somewhat useless player for way more money than they have to.

No options on Beli/Bertans/Forbes. Confirmed fully guranteed deals.

[Chinook]

No options on Beli/Bertans/Forbes. Confirmed fully guranteed deals.

Thanks. I mistakenly said Bertans, who could not legally have any option without having three or more years on his contract. But even with that confirmation in hand, the Spurs could still easily threaten the tax next summer. They'll pay Pau if he's worth it, but I don't think they're in position where they won't mind spending $10 Million on a player they no longer want just because they won't have cap space.

[NASpurs]

From Poetl's Facebook:

"Thank you Toronto, thank you Raptors! For your support, new friendships and our time together! Two great and exciting years. I will start a new chapter in San Antonio now, I'm really looking forward to the new challenge and journey. I want to settle in as quickly as possible and will do everything to support my new team."



https://www.facebook.com/JakobPoeltl...57165750995256

Poeltl mentally got the out of the Raptors organization once he found out he was traded to the Spurs. Changed his FB banner to the Spurs flag, changed his profile pic to him in a Spurs uni and just moved on. He’s on the right foot with me as a fan. It probably helps that in Europe, the Spurs are well known. I think he called the Spurs a historic team in one of his messages.

[DPG21920]

I agree that the win-now mindset should be less about cap space but flipping guys like Pau/Mills for better roster fit players.

[RD2191]

Poeltl mentally got the out of the Raptors organization once he found out he was traded to the Spurs. Changed his FB banner to the Spurs flag, changed his profile pic to him in a Spurs uni and just moved on. He’s on the right foot with me as a fan. It probably helps that in Europe, the Spurs are well known. I think he called the Spurs a historic team in one of his messages.

Meanwhile Demar is still contemplating suicide.

[RGMCSE]

Meanwhile Demar is still contemplating suicide.

Has he even mentioned SA whatsoever? Or is he still crying on a ledge somewhere?

[kobyz]

Meanwhile Demar is still contemplating suicide.

He's known as dealing with depression, you should be more sensitive...

[Kawhitstorm]

Warriors Bogut minus the elite passing is his upside.

More like Mozgov before he tore up his knee.........

[venitian navigator]

An underrated part of then trade is that he plays very well with DDR (i've seen some highliths, butb they seem to naturally fit together)...that makes me think he could be our starting center from the beginning of the season, also to help DDR transitions to our system.

[cutewizard]

Count me in Sir.....

[cutewizard]

[cutewizard]

[MaNu4Tres]

He's being overlooked right now.

This kid is a stud. He's so efficient and effective on both ends of the floor.

He's already better than Pau (imo).

Three things I hope for:

- I hope Pop doesn't try to field three centers in the rotation on a consistent basis.

- I hope they are trying to trade Pau right now as we speak.

- Poeltl gets a 20 mpg role off the bench as the main 5.

[Fireball]

as TIMVP summarized ... he needs to get better on defensive rebounding and not fouling!

[NickiRasgo]

Has he even mentioned SA whatsoever? Or is he still crying on a ledge somewhere?

He already is. At the Drew League, together with Rudy Gay. Not officially though, just a very short video.

[JPB]

Poeltl mentally got the out of the Raptors organization once he found out he was traded to the Spurs. Changed his FB banner to the Spurs flag, changed his profile pic to him in a Spurs uni and just moved on. He’s on the right foot with me as a fan. It probably helps that in Europe, the Spurs are well known. I think he called the Spurs a historic team in one of his messages.

Spurs have a very good reputation in Europe due to their historically euro-like type of play (uselfish, more tactical) and overall philosophy as well as respect Pop and RC have shown very early on to euro-ball.

But yeah, seeing Jak already aknoledging the spurs and showing more attention and carefulness than Kawhitter in his whole tenure (not to mnetion his departure) tells you everything you need to know about the Flaw.

[BackHome]

He's being overlooked right now.

This kid is a stud. He's so efficient and effective on both ends of the floor.

He's already better than Pau (imo).

Three things I hope for:

- I hope Pop doesn't try to field three centers in the rotation on a consistent basis.

- I hope they are trying to trade Pau right now as we speak.

- Poeltl gets a 20 mpg role off the bench as the main 5.

Good write up! I agree Pau should be moved this year if we can find the right person if not moved or let go next year. But he is done as far as Spurs player. In reality Pau, Forbes, Paul, should all be gone and don't tell me that Nikola, Hanga, Livio are not better then those three guys.