3 trade deadline moves Jakob Poeltl has clearly outperformed

1. Mo Bamba, Los Angeles Lakers

Bamba had been on the Raptors’ radar for quite some time, as a player with his physical gifts and improved play with Orlando could have been a very robust option for the center spot. While the Lakers beat Toronto to the post, he hasn’t been what LA envisioned thanks to his body letting him down.

Bamba, who saw his minutes jump from 25 per game last season to just under 12 with the Lakers, is averaging just 4.4 points per game. To make matters worse, Bamba injured his ankle so severely that he won’t be reevaluated for a few more weeks. He might be out for the remainder of the season.

Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl has outperformed Mo Bamba.

While Poeltl was obviously acquired for his rebounding and defensive skills, the fact that he has been a reliable presence in the middle on offense has added to his value exponentially. Bamba, meanwhile, looks like the same raw player he was at Texas instead of the standout from Orlando.

Poeltl is going to be a free agent when the offseason comes around, renewing fears that Toronto could potentially lose him on the open market. If he is retained, getting a rock-solid performer like Poeltl would be a much better move than sticking with a player like Bamba that is all banged up.