The Toronto Raptors might finally see clearly when it comes to Jakob Poeltl. Perhaps, at long last, they have come to the realization that the rest of the NBA has known for years: he is just not that good.
The Raptors organization has been absolutely besotted with Poeltl for years. They traded for him to return, paying a high price to do so, and have bestowed contract extensions like the Dursleys gave gifts to Dudley. There was always just enough evidence to be found if you combed the statistical data to support his value.
Jakob Poeltl is a problem
Anyone objective enough to step back, however, could see that Poeltl was not the answer at center. He has good size and can take up space inside, and he is a solid-enough rebounder. He also lacks touch, shooting range, physicality, playmaking vision, defensive versatility and speed.
Add in persistent injuries and you get a player who is neither reliable nor capable enough to be the starting center on a good team. If only the Raptors hadn't paid him like a fringe All-Star.
Over the course of the Raptors' series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, head coach Darko Rajakovic seemed to understand. At key moments, he would substitute Collin Murray-Boyles into the rotation where Poeltl normally would be. Throughout the series, as the Raptors went to war and hung around to force a Game 7, Poeltl was seen as a disappointment.
A Game 7 loss where Poeltl and Murray-Boyles were both dominated by Jarrett Allen throws up the red flag. Allen had 22 points and 19 rebounds, and Poeltl had no answers. Allen was not spaced out to the perimeter, or using dribbling skill to attack Poelt in space. He merely knocked Poeltl around and got his hands on every rebound.
Jakob Poeltl was not good enough. He truly has never been, and he certainly wasn't this year. Collin Murray-Boyles is the future in the Toronto frontcourt. Is the team ready to acknowledge it?
Does Toronto know Poeltl is the problem?
Coming to the realization is only half the battle, of course. Because of the massive contract extension handed to Poeltl, he is one of the most difficult contracts to trade in the entire league. Most of the worst deals will expire soon; his, on the other hand, stretches through until 2029-30.
No team wants to trade for a limited, aging, injury-prone center in line to make $27.3 million in four years. Thankfully, there are some triggers that could make the contract partially guaranteed, but overall, it's a terrible contract that looked terrible when it was first announced.
Toronto dug its grave because it was head-over-heels twitterpated with Poeltl. Now they have to find their way out. Acceptance is a major step on the road to recovery; now they need the courage to take the necessary steps.
Scottie Barnes is the real deal. Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead stepped up. RJ Barrett became a Toronto legend. Collin Murray-Boyles submitted his application to be a long-term piece of the core.
Jakob Poeltl? He did what everyone outside of the Toronto front office expected, and laid a dud. And perhaps, at long last, that was the kick needed to push the organization to make a change.
Raptors fans can only hope that the light bulb came on.
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