The Raptors’ offseason started later than perhaps expected at the start of the season, but still earlier than fans and players had hoped for. They did, after all, force Game 7 and give themselves a shot at upsetting the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round despite playing without two starters.
Since they weren’t able to advance, it’s time to start thinking about what offseason moves the Raptors should make. The playoffs underlined some glaring needs, like 3-point shooting and offensive creation, and also highlighted some players who probably won’t be or shouldn’t be a part of the Raptors’ long-term future. Brandon Ingram didn’t turn out to be the greatest playoff fit, Gradey Dick’s departure looks inevitable after he didn’t see any notable postseason minutes when other young players did, and the playoffs only confirmed Jakob Poeltl’s limitations.
The latter, however, could pose a massive problem as the Raptors try to upgrade the roster due to his contract.
Jakob Poeltl’s contract is difficult to move
The Raptors have a bunch of expensive long-term contracts on their payroll. The most baffling of those is Jakob Poeltl’s contract, which is in the running for the worst contract in the NBA currently.
That contract already caused some problems during the season. Raptors reporter Michael Grange recently reported that the Raptors wanted to add Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline. The two-time All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year would have been a great get for a team in need of offensive firepower that doesn’t pose a risk of losing any defensive strength.
However, “the sticking point was finding someone to take on Jakob Poeltl’s four years and $104 million the 30-year-old has owed to him,” Grange noted. So, Jackson Jr. went to the Utah Jazz instead, and the Raptors missed out on a chance to vastly improve their roster.
More teams will be open to trades in the offseason than during the season, but finding someone to take Poeltl’s contract could still be tricky, which would, in turn, severely limit the Raptors’ options on the trade market if they are looking to make a significant addition or even go all-in on a big-time star to put next to Scottie Barnes.
This isn’t to say that teams don’t want Poeltl. He can be a solid center for a team that needs size and an inside presence. The problem, rather, is that teams don’t necessarily want to pay Poeltl a massive salary when his age and back problems firmly indicate that he is past his prime.
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