3 Signs Toronto Raptors might be tanking this season
The Toronto Raptors haven't yet picked a direction.
In the last year they have moved on from a number of key veterans, including stars like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby and support players like Dennis Schroder and Gary Trent Jr. That would seem to suggest a move into a rebuild.
Yet the Raptors largely didn't trade for draft picks and prospects, but rather more established young players like Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. They also intentionally traded for 33-year-old Kelly Olynyk, and have hung onto other veterans like Jakob Poeltl and Bruce Brown.
That makes it unclear exactly what the Raptors are trying to do. They appear too good and way too expensive to be fully rebuilding, but clearly not good enough to be contending one season after going 25-67. It may not be clear what path they are pursuing until the season begins.
If the Raptors decide to aim for the bottom of the standings to try to get a prime spot in a loaded 2025 NBA Draft, there will be signs early on of their intentions. Let's look at three signs that the Raptors are tanking this season and what they would entail.
No. 3: Jakob Poeltl's minutes go down
The Toronto Raptors paid a high price to add Jakob Poeltl two deadlines ago, paid out in the form of the No. 8 overall pick in this summer's draft. He remains the only proven center on the roster capable of starting next to Scottie Barnes in the frontcourt. His rim protection and rebounding are crucial to the Raptors not being overwhelmed on that end of the court.
Behind Poeltl are a pair of raw rookie centers in Branden Carlson and Ulrich Chomche, both on two-way contracts. If the Raptors are trying to win, they will need 28-30 minutes from Poeltl next season. If his minutes dip down to 22-24, it will almost certainly be providing the rookies more playing time, and likely killing Toronto's defense in the process as they learn the ropes. Decreasing the wear and tear on Poeltl and accelerating losing in the process is a classic tanking move.