Jakob Poeltl did not have a great season. He played only 46 regular-season games due to his back problems, and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles largely outplayed him, even in the playoffs—which he entered with zero experience, while Poeltl was the most experienced Raptor in the rotation.
Poeltl offered great size against Jarrett Allen, but his limitations were also exposed in the series, and the Raptors ultimately benefited more from Murray-Boyles’s versatility and defensive prowess next to Scottie Barnes.
Seeing a rookie excel in the playoffs is great for the organization and fans alike, but it also highlighted the worst part about Jakob Poeltl: his contract. The Raptors gave him a massive extension, paying him like a star center when he wasn’t able to play like one. This whole situation would be much less worrisome if he were on a team-friendly contract and the Raptors could use him as a backup big without feeling like they’re just throwing money out the window—which is why most fans didn’t necessarily agree with Scottie Barnes’s evaluation of the big man.
“I think Jak was unbelievable for us. He helps me in so many different ways,” Barnes said during the Raptors’ exit interviews on May 4.
He also added, “We need Jak on this team. Jak is so important for us.“
Fans may disagree with that take, but what else is Barnes supposed to say? Even if he feels like the Raptors need to upgrade the center position, he can’t just publicly tear down his teammate in front of the media. That would accomplish nothing.
It’s time to move on
Poeltl put up some solid numbers for the Raptors in the past. He averaged almost 10 rebounds and a career-high 14.5 points per game over 57 contests just last season. He also averaged at least one block per game in six consecutive seasons before this one.
His rebounding and rim protection didn’t consistently show up in the Raptors’ playoff series—although there were flashes, like his 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block in Game 5. At this point of his career, he just cannot offer everything the Raptors need to build a contender. And who knows, maybe joining a different team and a system that relies less on versatility, speed, and switchability could be enough to help Poeltl shine again.
If the Raptors want to build on this season and eye at least a second-round appearance next season, they will have to make some changes and move on from some players. Poeltl is one of them. The problem will be to find a trade partner willing to take on an older center with back issues and a massive contract.
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