Toronto Raptors: Chances of each player returning next season
Jakob Poeltl
After an impressive regular season in which Jakob Poeltl showed great development and growth as a player, Poeltl laid a complete egg in the playoffs.
Poeltl was outmatched in both the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers series, plagued by a bevy of turnovers while providing little to no value of on the defensive end. Poeltl struggled in these areas during the regular season, however, these problems were heavily exasperated come playoff time.
Jakob Poeltl is still a smart,talented basketball player. In a market that is robust with bargain centers, due to a supply that is fair greater than the demand, any return for Poeltl would likely return pennies on the dollar.
Expect Poeltl to be back next season, as the Raptors bank on a young big-man rebounding (no-pun intended) after a poor postseason.
Chance of returning – 85 percent
Jonas Valanciunas
The idea of trading Jonas Valanciunas is much more appealing than the actual deal you will get in return. Nobody is in the market for centers, particularly ones that struggle to stay on the court on the biggest stage and will be making $15 million next year.
What makes JV even harder to move is he’s good! Unloading a bad contract is easy enough, but when you’re trying to also replace perhaps the third best player on your roster, it becomes nearly impossible.
There is no question Valanciunas has flaws, however, Toronto is better suited trying to work around those flows than to try to get exchange them for another flawed player.