I will give Jakob Poeltl his just due; I think, hands down, he might be the guy who’s changed my mind most about his reputation and impact within the Raptors' structure.
I don't know if I speak for the rest of Raptors Nation, but I could certainly see the rationale behind Toronto's decision to extend Poeltl for an additional three years (an $84 million deal, totaling $104 million over four years, including his accepted player option). The beauty of a site like this, where we can express our thoughts freely, is that while I viewed the Poeltl deal as a necessary evil, we were also able to present the counterargument — that Poeltl's pricey contract might have been the "worst decision of free agency thus far."
But regardless of where you sit on the Poeltl train, he is set to continue holding that pivotal role as Toronto's anchor down low and veteran center presence. Now, getting to the point of why I titled this piece along the lines of the Raptors having a Jakob Poeltl problem is not a knock on the type of player he is or suggesting he’s ineffective or useless. I very much recognize how important he is to overall team success; without a guy like Poeltl, I'd say Toronto would be in the gutter.
Here is where I think Jakob Poeltl presents a problem; or, if you want to use a different term, I think 'dilemma' is also appropriate.
Without a doubt, Poeltl is truly a reliable hand to have. He virtually does it all; Poeltl can defend opposing bigs, serve as a quality pick-and-roll partner, has a consistent offensive game, and his playmaking skills are more than impressive for his position.
Jakob Poeltl is solid... but not quite elite (and he's being paid the big bucks)
But what did I just describe? A jack-of-all-trades NBA center.
I'm sure rival teams are jealous of what Poeltl brings to the table, and I'm certain there would be a multitude of other suitors. However, Jakob Poeltl just doesn't get the love he rightfully deserves because, to put it bluntly, he isn't elite at anything in particular to make him stand out.
For what he is and for what he does, Poeltl is amazing. But as near-perfect as a puzzle Poeltl is, he's truly missing that last piece that would make him a work of art. Also, there's the lack of a three-point shot in his game, which serves as a detriment. This limitation has been highlighted in previous pieces, emphasizing how it plagues the largely non-shooting starting lineup.
Now, here's the silver lining: I would argue that Poeltl could stand out more if he continues to develop one element of his diverse skill set and unleashes a premier side of his NBA game. That said, I am also aware that he is a 29-year-old center who perhaps has already hit his ceiling as a pro.