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Raptors news: Jakob Poeltl contract projections, former Raptor goes nuts in G League

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Jakob Poeltl #19 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate after they defeated the Orlando Magic in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on February 14, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Jakob Poeltl #19 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate after they defeated the Orlando Magic in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on February 14, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors raised some eyebrows when they traded a first-round pick to acquire Jakob Poeltl, but the early returns have been very promising. Poeltl has been a defensive standout that is coming off his best offensive game as a pro.

Poeltl recorded 30 points on 15-17 shooting in a victory against the Orlando Magic, pulling down nine rebounds and blocking six shots while he was at it. The lack of a true center has hurt this team all year long, and Poeltl appears to be a major shot in the arm for this team.

While Poeltl is a free agent, all signs indicate he will get resigned long-term.

Per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, league personnel believe Toronto will give the 27-year-old Poeltl a four-year contract in the offseason. As Fischer notes, a move like that signifies that Ujiri and the rest of the front office are trying to lean into this core and go for a postseason spot.

More Raptors news

  • Poeltl was historically efficient against Orlando, as he became the fifth player in Raptors history to score 30 or more points while connecting on 88% of their shots. Only Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas, Chris Bosh, and Gary Trent Jr. have done it before. The only other players that could have done this in the NBA this season are Alec Burks (somehow) and MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic.
  • Former Raptors forward Justin Champagnie has the best scoring game of his professional career for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, G League affiliate of the Miami Heat. Champagnie finished with 43 points on 16-31 shooting and 3-10 from 3-point range. With 13 rebounds and a victory against the Salt Lake Stars, Champagnie has continued to show the Heat and the rest of the NBA that he is way too good for the G League.

https://twitter.com/AaronBenRose/status/1625523727315214336

NBA news

  • Former Raptors 905 player Alex Antetokounmpo will join brothers Giannis and Thanasis on one of the three NBA Skills Challenge teams. A trio of hometown Jazz players in Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton will form the second of the three teams, while rookie sensations Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith will try their best to take home the grand prize in Salt Lake City.
  • Jayson Tatum, Lauri Markkanen, and Damian Lillard are some of the names that will be featured in the Three-Point Shootout. Kevin Huerter, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Anfernee Simons, and Tyler Herro will round out the field.
  • Jericho Sims, Mac McClung, Trey Murphy III, and Kenyon Martin Jr. will try to etch their name in history during the Slam Dunk Contest.

Next. 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.0. dark

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