The Boston Celtics made a pretty big offer to the San Antonio Spurs for big man Jakob Poeltl ahead of the 2023 NBA trade deadline, but were rejected in the end.

Poeltl was ultimately dealt to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a top-6-protected first-round pick in 2024, center Khem Birch, and two future second-round picks. It’s that first-rounder, which very well could be as high as No. 7 in the 2024 draft, that put Toronto over the top of Boston’s final offer.

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• According to Brian Robb of MassLive, the Celtics offered forward Danilo Gallinari, guard Payton Pritchard, and multiple future second-round picks to the Spurs for Poeltl. The offer was declined, per Robb, as San Antonio opted for the best draft pick compensation. In that case, there’s no way the C’s would have been able to top the Raptors’ offer, despite offering the better NBA-ready player package.

  That’s the tricky balancing act that Celtics President of Basketball Ops may find himself in, at the moment. The Celtics are the odds-on favorite to win the NBA championship this season, so they would be offering the least-valuable draft capital in the league. Another team would have to be willing to take player compensation. Gallinari & Pritchard appears to be the package they’re trying to shop around ahead of the deadline.

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  Jan 23, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) in the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

• Anyway, about that deadline! The 2023 NBA trade deadline falls at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday. We’ll have you covered every step of the way with the latest news, rumors, and of course TAKES, here at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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