The Toronto Raptors are 5-5 through 10 games to start the 2026-27 season after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Monday night. In that loss, Jakob Poeltl put together his second straight game of really impressive production and looked night and day compared to how he started this campaign for Toronto. He was extremely active defensively, crashed the glass, and was a threat on offense. With Poeltl’s recent play, concerns about the Raptors' frontcourt rotation have kind of become an afterthought for some, but that area still needs some addressing.
Don’t get me wrong, seeing Jak average 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 2.5 blocks over his last two games has me extremely encouraged. These last two games are undoubtedly massive boosts to his confidence, and if he can keep up similar-ish numbers, especially on the glass and defensively, that’s starter-caliber production.
However, that shouldn’t eliminate the front office's desire to add another big, especially one with a skill set this frontcourt doesn’t have. It doesn’t have to be someone with crazy pedigree, just a steady five that can give you 15 minutes a night.
Jakob Poeltl's resurgence shouldn't prevent the Raptors from adding another center
If you’ve noticed, the two games Poeltl has thrived in were against two frontcourts that don’t have super athletic or versatile big men.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a massive Zach Edey guy and think he is an unbelievable floor raiser anytime he’s out there because of his gigantic size, but he’s predictable. In screens and rolls, he's going to play drop, and that little 15-foot floater range Jak loves is going to be there. Same goes for Myles Turner, who, to be blunt, doesn’t even play basketball like he cares anymore. Jak won both of these matchups because they lowkey favored him and his skill set offensively.
But expecting him to have the same success against a New York frontcourt with KAT, an Atlanta frontcourt that is going to stretch the defense, or even a Charlotte one with so much athleticism isn’t realistic.
Between Collin Murray-Boyles and Poeltl, the Raptors have two interesting frontcourt skill sets with a versatile small-ball five and a pretty traditional back-to-the-basket big in Jak. If Bobby Webster could add a true stretch five, someone with giant-like size or even an elite rim protector, to the mix, any of those skill sets would be a fun addition and give Darko Rajakovic more options. Having that extra body to give opposing defenses a different look can be extremely valuable and be the deciding factor between winning a game and not.
Also, having another body will limit the minutes you need to demand from Jak or CMB. Doing that can keep them fresher and, in theory, make their production in the minutes they’re on the court even better because they’ll be preserving more energy over a 48-minute game.
Jak’s great play over a two-game sample isn’t going to remove any concerns or questions I or any fan had about him through the team's previous eight games. However, it does reduce the urgency of finding an upgrade at starting center, as this team may have a strong enough frontcourt to contend if they can throw one more big into the mix at some point this season. Maybe that person is Nate Bittle, or maybe it’s someone they get through a trade.
Add us as a preferred source on Google