The Raptors should be more than ready to move on from Jakob Poeltl after his playoff troubles. The veteran averaged only 19.1 minutes over the Raptors’ first-round series alongside 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. He had some moments, but was underwhelming overall—so underwhelming, in fact, that rookie Collin Murray-Boyles quickly looked like the more reliable option.
The decision to move on from Poeltl may be easy for the Raptors, but actually getting it done won’t be. Poeltl is on an expensive contract, and other teams won’t exactly be jumping at the opportunity to trade for an older center with back problems, who just put together a disappointing playoff run. It’s a hell of the Raptors’ own making. This problem could have been avoided easily if the Raptors hadn’t given Poeltl a massive contract extension that ultimately entered the contest for the worst contract in the NBA when they didn’t even have to.
The Raptors can probably convince a team to take Poeltl on if they throw in some draft assets, but if, for any reason, they can’t, it shouldn’t change their focus in the frontcourt. Even if Poeltl stays with the Raptors for another season, they have to focus on Murray-Boyles and his development over the veteran, even if it offers a chance to redeem their past choices.
Collin Murray-Boyles is ready
Relegating one of your highest-paid veterans to a smaller role in favor of a player on a rookie contract would hurt. But Collin Murray-Boyles proved all season long, and especially in the playoffs, that he is ready to be a big part of the Raptors’ present and future alike.
He averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks over his first seven playoff games in the NBA. He ranked third in points per game behind RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes, second in rebounds behind Barrett, and second in blocks behind Barnes. He provided efficient inside scoring and athleticism, physicality, and versatility on defense.
He left no doubt about his position as a building block for the Raptors. Murray-Boyles and Barnes are the only two players who are truly untouchable in trade talks (the Raptors would probably also love to hold on to Ja’Kobe Walter, but depending on the trade they would still have to consider moving on from him), and their potential as one of the most disruptive defensive duos is already crystal clear.
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