Ranking the 5 best available NBA free agent centers in 2023
By Jakob Ashlin
Best available NBA free agent centers: 3. Jakob Poeltl
The Toronto Raptors were primed to be sellers at the trade deadline with Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby all potentially on the block. However, they reversed course and became buyers. They held onto all three players, and they sent a 2024 first-round pick (top-six protected), two second-round picks, and Khem Birch to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Jakob Poeltl.
Poeltl is an impactful defensive presence. Since 2019, he is seventh in the NBA in total blocks (541). Following the trade, the Raptors were +14.1 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.
The Raptors gave up multiple assets to acquire him, and his level of play was phenomenal. So, the front office should be committed to keeping him long-term. Still, the Raptors do have one of the most unpredictable paths forward this summer.