3 former Toronto Raptors having the best years of their career
By Mike Luciano
2. Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs
Poeltl was one of the major pieces that went to San Antonio in the Leonard trade. Despite being picked ninth overall out of Utah, it was clear that Siakam had more offensive potential than the Austrian center. Luckily, he’s found a home with Gregg Popovich and the Spurs.
Poeltl has averaged 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game with the Spurs this season. He is not just a dunker spot finisher on offense, as he has supplemented that career-best scoring average by emerging as one of the best defensive big men in the Western Conference.
Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl is a legitimate defensive stud.
San Antonio is building towards a future that is centered around Dejounte Murray and Devin Vassell. Poeltl absolutely has to be in their long-term plans, as he has benefitted from the instruction that a mentor like Popovich can provide. He was not going to get this chance in Toronto.
Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol blocked his path to playing time in the short term, and the impending emergence of Siakam limited his long-term potential. The Raptors won a title thanks to the contributions of Leonard, but Poeltl also found a permanent pro destination as a result of that trade.