NBA Trade Rumors: Celtics, Raptors, Teams Increase Pursuit of Spurs' Jakob Poeltl

As the San Antonio Spurs continue their race to the bottom of the NBA standings, Jakob Poeltl's future with the organization could come to an end before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are among several teams that have expressed interest in Poeltl.

Charania added Poeltl moving to the Eastern Conference "could be possible" with two weeks remaining before the deadline.

The Celtics are an interesting potential landing spot for Poeltl because center isn't a position they really need. Robert Williams and Al Horford have played well this season.

Williams does have significant injury concerns that could make it more palatable to add another big man. He has missed at least 20 games in each of his first five NBA seasons, including the 2022-23 campaign.

An arthroscopic procedure on his knee before the start of the season kept Williams out for the first 29 games this season.

It's a surprise to see the Raptors on the list of suitors for Poeltl because they haven't looked like a playoff contender so far this season. They have been talked about as potential sellers, but it doesn't seem like they are going to move any of their key players.

Toronto is currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a 23-28 record.

Among the likely trade candidates for the Spurs, Poeltl would likely bring back the biggest return. The 27-year-old is averaging 11.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 41 starts this season.

Poeltl is in the final season of his three-year, $26.3 million contract. He is making $9.4 million in 2022-23, so it shouldn't be difficult for interested teams to fit his salary into their cap.

The Spurs have no reason to keep Poeltl at this point. Their 14-36 record is the second-worst in the Western Conference, ahead of only the Houston Rockets (12-38). He will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.