NBA Trade Deadline Notebook: Oubre’s Staying Power, Green’s Encouraging Update, and Poeltl’s Lingering Back Issue
As the NBA trade deadline inches closer, teams across the league are evaluating not just their rosters, but their priorities - win now or plan for later. For the Sixers, Suns, and Raptors, that decision is being shaped by three very different player situations. Let’s break it down.
Philadelphia 76ers: Kelly Oubre Jr. Isn’t Going Anywhere
If you were hoping to see Kelly Oubre Jr. on the move at the deadline, don’t hold your breath. The Sixers are making it clear: Oubre is too valuable to let go - even on an expiring deal.
The logic here is straightforward. Oubre’s versatility on the wing has become a key piece of Philadelphia’s rotation.
He’s toggled between shooting guard, small forward, and even power forward when needed. He’s taken on tough defensive assignments and hit 38% from three.
That combination of flexibility and production is tough to replicate, especially midseason.
“He plays both ends, right?” head coach Nick Nurse said.
“That’s the main thing. He’s been pretty effective on both ends… He’s in about his 10th year.
He’s got a lot of stuff under his belt. A lot of minutes.
A lot of games, too. That helps.”
And Nurse isn’t wrong. Experience matters - especially for a team with playoff aspirations. Oubre’s been around the block, and in a league that prizes two-way wings, his skillset is tailor-made for postseason basketball.
Sure, trading him might open up some cap flexibility. But that’s more of a summer conversation. Right now, the Sixers are focused on making a run - and Oubre’s a key part of that plan.
Phoenix Suns: Jalen Green’s MRI Brings Relief - For Now
The Suns caught a break - literally and figuratively - with Jalen Green’s latest injury update. After exiting Friday’s game early, Green underwent an MRI that revealed no new damage. That’s a big sigh of relief for a team that’s been trying to get him fully back in rhythm.
“That’s great news for us,” said interim head coach Jordan Ott. “Get a workout today, and we’ll see where he goes this week.”
Green is officially day-to-day, but it’s been a frustrating stretch. He’s now returned twice from a hamstring injury, only to play one game and exit the next. That kind of inconsistency can mess with a player’s timing - and a team’s rotation.
“It was just so unlucky,” Ott added. “We know he’s an incredible healer and a guy that’s gonna do everything it takes to play the next one.”
For Phoenix, the key is patience. Green’s upside is undeniable, but the Suns have to find a way to balance urgency with long-term health. They’re in the thick of a competitive Western Conference race, and a healthy Green could be a difference-maker down the stretch.
Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl’s Back Injury Clouding Deadline Plans
Up north, the Raptors are facing a different kind of uncertainty - one that’s less about trade value and more about medical reports.
Jakob Poeltl’s lower back strain has sidelined him indefinitely, and according to reports, there’s been little progress in his recovery. That’s a problem for a team trying to figure out its next move at the deadline.
Poeltl is under contract through the 2029-30 season, so there’s no rush to make a long-term decision. But his health - or lack of clarity around it - is now a major variable in Toronto’s planning.
The Raptors have reportedly explored adding another big man, with names like Domantas Sabonis floated in league circles. But everything hinges on Poeltl’s timeline.
If he’s close to returning, Toronto might stay the course. If not, they could be forced to get more aggressive.
It’s a tricky spot. Poeltl is a foundational piece when healthy - a skilled passer, strong rebounder, and interior defender. But until the Raptors get a clearer picture of his recovery, every potential move comes with a question mark.
Bottom Line
As the trade deadline approaches, teams aren’t just evaluating stats - they’re weighing context, health, and chemistry. For Philly, that means holding onto a trusted vet in Oubre.
For Phoenix, it’s about managing Green’s recovery without rushing him back. And in Toronto, Poeltl’s back is shaping more than just the injury report - it’s influencing an entire front office strategy.
Stay tuned. The deadline drama is just getting started.