The Toronto Raptors enter the 2026 offseason with what feels like 99.9 percent of the fan base calling for the end of Jakob Poeltl's playing career in the Six.
After agreeing to opt in and sign a three-year extension for a total of $104 million, fans are starting to realize this deal has hindered Toronto’s flexibility this offseason. That being said, Poeltl shouldn’t be the Raptor that newly extended Bobby Webster is focused on parting ways with.
Instead, that player should be RJ Barrett.
Now, that may sound wild. He’s the hometown kid, hit the massive shot in Game 6 to force Game 7, and had a strong playoff run. But that’s exactly why he makes more sense to part with, instead of Poeltl.
With Poeltl's value likely being at an all-time low because of a combination of injury history, age, bad contract, and poor play this postseason, trading him would net no value. RJ Barrett, on the other hand, could help bring back a piece or two that would make Toronto better or more well-rounded heading into the 2026-27 season.
Barrett is the trade chip Toronto could see a return from
With one year left on his deal at just over $29 million, Barrett has a very tradeable contract and one that wouldn’t require any long-term commitment from an opposing GM.
Coming off a playoff series where, as I mentioned, he hit a game-winner, averaged 24.1 points per game, and shot 38.6 percent from three, his value genuinely may never be higher. With that, some may ask why trade him if he’s coming off a strong postseason—my answer is that he doesn’t fit the rest of this roster, and the regular season was proof of that.
When you pay a star like the Raptors did, Brandon Ingram, you have to be committed to building around him and Scottie Barnes and giving them the supporting cast they need. RJ isn’t that. His downhill slashing and primarily inside-the-arc scoring profile is very similar to BI’s. This led to them constantly getting in each other’s way last season and stalling the offense.
When you have a presumed big three moving forward of Barnes, Ingram, and Collin Murray-Boyles, you need legit floor spacers to open things up for them. Yes, RJ shot well from beyond the arc in the playoffs, but he is a career 34.5 percent three-point shooter.
One of the best ways Toronto can address that need for shooting is in the draft, and trading Barrett over Poeltl would allow Toronto to keep that pick. But if they wanted to trade Poeltl instead for a team to accept taking on his long-term money, it would likely come at the cost of surrendering that pick.
Coming off a great 2025-26 campaign, expectations are high from the Raptors fan base this summer. But if fans want to see this team take another leap in 2026-27, the starter that needs to go isn’t Jakob Poeltl, but rather RJ Barrett.
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