Jakob Poeltl is headed for a new deal, but how much are the Toronto Raptors willing to shell out —while still aligning with their goals?
Now, amid the chatter across various NBA insider circles and within the Raptors community itself, the possibility of losing Jakob Poeltl this offseason is becoming an increasingly likely reality. As I outlined in my own piece and later reiterated in subsequent trade package ideas, Poeltl's inclusion in a high-profile trade—such as for the coveted Suns star Kevin Durant—has been a recurring theme.
It's not so much that Toronto wants to offload Poeltl because he's undesirable, but rather that he would need to be included in a deal—likely because Phoenix is in dire need of a quality starting big. His current contract makes him an easy salary match alongside someone like RJ Barrett.
Even so, I would much prefer to keep Poeltl on the Raptors, considering the tremendous contributions he made this past year, which ultimately cemented him as one of the team's most consistent and impactful players.
Considering his impending contract extension, what would be a realistic figure to keep the Austrian big man satisfied without significantly constraining Toronto's growing salary commitments?
What type of contract extension looms for Jakob Poeltl?
Well, I look back to Sam Vecenie, who in his Raptors offseason focus episode of "The Game Theory Podcast" mentions Poeltl's looming contract renewal as a key point in the Raptors' outlook going forward. Here's what he had to say:
"Jakob Poeltl is up for an extension. I think he's on an extendable number — like, I don't think it would take more than $30 million, like it wouldn't take $30 million a year to extend him... I don't think, at least. Right? "Sam Vecenie, June 9, 2025
Now, you might look at that number and think $30 million is crazy for a player of Poeltl's caliber. But Vecenie and his co-host Bryce Simon of Motor City Hoops would remind you that another center, Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently secured a three-year, $90 million extension.
Say what you want about who's better between the two big men, but the hosts would argue that Poeltl's agent would be foolish not to at least ask for a similar figure. Similarly, Simon would point out how Ivica Zubac has muddied the market, having signed a three-year, $58.6 million extension — an absolute steal of a deal in hindsight.
How I see it, Poeltl's team should aim for that $30 million per year range, but I could envision a scenario where the front office and Poeltl's camp reach an agreement to keep him in town — perhaps somewhat of a compromise in a three-year, $81 million deal. I also think Toronto could position themselves to sell a shorter-term deal with a higher annual amount for Poeltl, making a two-year, $60 million extension entirely possible.
Thinking about the numbers is one thing, but there's also the risk of losing the player's impact if he leaves. Poeltl has been a key difference-maker, and while he won't stay forever, it's a definite advantage to keep him on the roster for as long as possible.
On the bright side, I expect few teams to be willing to bid high for Poeltl (only the Lakers really come to mind) so he could definitely stay in Toronto. It really depends on the right number, likely between $23 million and $30 million per year.