Jakob Poeltl off limits in potential Kevin Durant trade?

League sources say that the Suns’ Durant discussions in recent days have likewise featured attempts to coax, say, Toronto to part with its No. 9 overall pick on Wednesday night. Or Minnesota’s No. 17 selection. Or Miami’s turn at No. 20. -via marcstein.substack.com / June 21, 2025

We can confirm our Sportsnet colleague Michael Grange’s reporting Friday that Toronto — initially presumed to be willing to part with Jakob Poeltl if it meant landing Durant — maintains now that it would not even surrender Poeltl in a deal for the future Hall of Famer. It remains to be seen how firm that stance is, but league sources say that the Raptors and their very underrated center have mutual interest in hammering out a contract extension in the near future if no trade intervenes. -via marcstein.substack.com / June 21, 2025

Kevin Durant: Whoa whoa Boog, I don’t want no problems with you or anybody on earth. I Promise, all I’m saying is your source is lying. -via Twitter @KDTrey5 / June 20, 2025

League sources say the Raptors have explored a range of trade concepts that could involve a framework including any combination of RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and the No. 9 overall pick. While nothing appears imminent, there is internal openness to parting with one of Barrett or Quickley in a larger package, and Poeltl could be included depending on the structure. Additionally, Toronto has explored scenarios involving trading down from No. 9, rather than exiting the first round altogether. A clear motivation to make changes is evident. -via Responsible Gaming / June 17, 2025

Will Toronto actually go beyond all the noise about their willingness to gamble on Durant without a long-term contract commitment to make a determined push for KD? Sources say that the Raptors would be willing to part with either RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a significant roster upgrade. Several league figures with knowledge of the Raptors’ thinking have likewise asserted that they could show a willingness to move center Jakob Poeltl as well … provided that the trade in question brought back Durant. The Raptors’ No. 9 pick is also increasingly viewed as perhaps the most likely top-10 pick in the draft to be traded. My sense is that Toronto would prefer to simply trade down rather than trade out of the first-round completely. Perhaps there is some swap potential in a deal with Phoenix and the Suns’ No. 29 overall selection. -via marcstein.substack.com / June 16, 2025