Jakob Poeltl was already dealt by the Toronto Raptors once to land a big name in the NBA, but could history repeat itself?

The 30-year-old centre was already part of the biggest trade in franchise history: the one that saw Kawhi Leonard suit up in Toronto, where he subsequently led the team to its first NBA championship in franchise history.

Now, the hulking Austrian is reportedly being shopped in a trade for oft-injured star Anthony Davis.

NBA reporter Mark Stein wrote on Wednesday that the Raptors are still interested in acquiring the 32-year-old Davis, even though he’s been sidelined again with yet another injury. 

Stein mentioned that the Raptors would be willing to part with Poeltl or Immanuel Quickley, along with 25-year-old R.J. Barrett, in exchange for the 10-time NBA All-Star.

The question many Raptors fans should be wondering is, why?

The Raptors have surprised many this season by being among the top teams in a wide-open Eastern Conference after missing the playoffs during the previous three seasons.

Scottie Barnes has been the engine, while Brandon Ingram’s impact has been pronounced after he suffered through an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign.

Perhaps Ingram’s success, both on the court and with good health, could lull the Raptors into a false sense of security.

The Raptors have been lucky to see Ingram get through this NBA season relatively unscathed so far. Could they have the same success with Davis?

It seems unlikely.

Davis has missed at least 20 games in six of the last seven seasons, including this year, where he’s suited up in 20 of the Mavs’ 40 games thus far. He’s slated to be out for at least six more weeks. 

That means he’ll remain out of action until after the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5.

Not only that, but the 20.4 points-per-game Davis has averaged is the lowest-mark he’s posted since his rookie season back in 2012-13.

Barrett himself has averaged 19.6 per game this season. Not to mention that the rumoured package means one of Poeltl or Quickley would be departing Toronto as well.

While trading for players with injury issues, such as Leonard and Ingram, worked out for Toronto, history seems unlikely to repeat itself with Davis.

For a Raptors team on the rise, paying a premium for a declining, injury-riddling star doesn’t seem to be worth the risk.

Lead photo by

Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images