The Toronto Raptors made their big move of the summer. Kawhi Leonard is back in Toronto, and with him come expectations that this team can compete for another championship.
However, after giving up a hefty price that included Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap to bring Leonard back, the Raptors don’t have much room left to make another splash.
They aren’t going to solve every hole on the roster in free agency or through another blockbuster trade. Instead, they’re going to need more from the players already in the building. No player fits that description more than Jakob Poeltl.
It wasn’t that long ago that Poeltl looked like one of the most reliable centres in the Eastern Conference. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged career highs with 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds while adding 1.2 blocks and a career-best 1.2 steals per game.
Poeltl was considered one of Toronto’s most consistent players, earning himself a four-year, $104-million extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. The Raptors rewarded him because they believed he could anchor the middle for years to come, but last season told a different story.
Back problems limited Poeltl to just 46 games, the fewest he has played in since his rookie year in 2016. His numbers dipped across the board, averaging 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Poeltl has never been a player who stretches the floor or creates his own offence. That’s not his game. His value comes from doing the little things, like setting solid screens, protecting the rim, finishing around the basket and controlling the glass. He is even an underrated passer at times.
Last season, Toronto didn’t get enough of that and the playoffs only highlighted those issues. The Cavaliers’ frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen gave the Raptors all kinds of problems in the first round. Cleveland outrebounded Toronto by 31 over the series, and Poeltl struggled to make much of an impact.
During the postseason he only averaged seven points, six rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks while playing just over 19 minutes a game. That’s simply not enough from your starting centre in a playoff series.
Now, with Leonard back in Toronto, those expectations only get higher. The Raptors aren’t asking Poeltl to suddenly develop a three-point shot or drop 20 points a night. They need the version of Poeltl they saw two seasons ago.
The one who consistently grabbed double-digit rebounds. The one who protected the paint. The one who made life easier for everyone around him by doing the dirty work.
During the 2019 championship run, the Raptors centers played a massive role. Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka weren’t asked to carry the offence, but they defended, rebounded, and played winning basketball. They understood their roles, and they played them exceptionally well.
Poeltl has to get back to being the player the Raptors believed they were extending a year ago. Kawhi Leonard gives Toronto a chance to compete for another championship. Whether the Raptors actually get there could depend on whether Jakob Poeltl can bounce back. Right now the Raps are betting on it.
