Preview: Can Jakob Poeltl return to form in the season he’s needed the most?

The Toronto Raptors have had a history of success with European centres: Jonas Valanciunas, Marc Gasol, and now, Jakob Poeltl. But, can the Austrian big man reach the same heights as those that came before him, or will his inability to stay on the floor condemn the Raptors to another season of mediocrity?

Big man in the middle

Starting with the positives: Yak is a very capable low post scorer, and acts as an imposing presence in the paint on both sides of the floor. In his best years, he’s giving you more than two stocks a game while averaging a near double double with points and rebounds. He’s got a nice touch around the basket, boasting a good floater game. He’s a very solid screener, and all together, contributes those fundamental things that a traditional centre does that impact the game in a big way.

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In the 2024-25 campaign, arguably his best season, Poeltl averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting 62.7% on more than ten shots a night. He played 57 games that year, and had a big role on a team that was going through a lot of growing pains and injury difficulties. Standing at seven feet tall, Poeltl is one of two players on the team taller than 6’11”, and with Nate Bittle still a rookie and 6’10” Trey Jemison on a two-way contract, he’s the player who ideally would be absorbing heavy minutes at centre for a wing-heavy roster. But, unfortunately, that might be easier said than done.

Mar 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On the court, off the court

Poeltl will be making north of 25 million dollars a year starting next season, and currently has the third-highest amount of guaranteed money coming to him on the team. This is less than ideal for a player who had struggled with a back injury throughout all of the last season, had a down year scoring and rebounding, and played less than 20 minutes per game in the playoffs.

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It’s the last one that is especially concerning for the team, as this year, it’s all but…

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Publish date : 2026-09-22 12:00:00

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