3 Raptors players who need to improve after preseason win vs. Kings

2. Jakob Poeltl

Saying Poeltl played poorly would be nitpicking, as there were plenty of solid rim protection reps on tape. However, if Poeltl is to fulfill what Rajakovic thinks he can do for this team on both ends of the floor, he likely needs to be a bit sharper as a decision-maker.

Poeltl finished with four points and five rebounds in 19 minutes. He struggled in the turnover department, as he coughed it up four times and committed four fouls. Poeltl will get chances to right his wrongs in the regular season, and now is the time to work out the kinks.

Jakob Poeltl must be more effective for the Toronto Raptors.

Poeltl is an elite rim protector, but the Raptors paid him a ton of money on a four-year contract because of his ability to keep the ball moving with uncommonly elite passing skills. Calling him a “point center” might be a bridge too far, but with how much Rajakovic’s offense operated from the elbow, they’ll lean on Poeltl plenty.

While the Raptors could pick one of two very different directions in the offseason, they paid Poeltl a ton of money to be an essential part of this starting lineup, no matter what happens. He’ll eventually thrive in this offense, but it might take a few games to knock the rest off.