3 Moves the Toronto Raptors need to be preparing for in 2025 offseason

No. 1: Trading Jakob Poeltl

The Raptors have to answer the first two questions here; it's not a lock that they will have to trade Jakob Poeltl next summer. It's possible they trade him before then, although somewhat unlikely given this front office's love for him.

By next summer, however, the team should have more clarity on where things stand for their core vs the rest of the league. Should being the operative word, because this team failed at that task the last few years, convincing themselves a flawed veteran core was better than it was.

It may be that the Raptors bottom out this season, either due to injuries or regression of play, and they understand they have a longer runway and move on from Poeltl given his age and value around the league. It could also be that they have a good season, but it becomes obvious that a center with more offensive utility would be a better fit -- or even a defense-oriented center, but one who can better defend in space, would be the best pairing with Scottie Barnes long-term.

However they get there, it seems like a strong possibility next summer is the time to trade Jakob Poeltl, and the Raptors will need to both address his replacement and get maximum value back for Poeltl and likely shore up the forward position.

The good news is that Barnes, Quickley and RJ Barrett are all under contract for multiple seasons, so they don't have to address their core. Gradey Dick and Ja'Kobe Walter are as well. That means the Raptors have a foundation to build on; now they need to make the right moves to ascend toward the top of the Eastern Conference.

The 2025 offseason will play a major role in that ascension.