There isn’t anyone on the Toronto Raptors who can replicate what Jakob Poeltl does, and that alone may be why he’s the most important player on the roster.
The front office likely subscribes to a similar belief, as evidenced by the four-year $104-million extension they offered Poeltl during the off-season.
Poeltl, who was drafted by the Raptors with the ninth overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, has graduated to veteran status, but that hasn’t changed his mentality on the court.
“I don’t think being 30 or getting older really changes too much in my mindset,” said Poeltl. “I’ve always had this approach of trying to get a little bit better every year.”
Toronto is far removed from the days when its centre rotation consisted of veterans Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. Since returning for his second stint with the Raptors, Poeltl has played ahead of bigs like Precious Achiuwa, Khem Birch, Chris Boucher, Bruno Fernando, Kelly Olynyk and Orlando Robinson.
This season, the group of Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jonathan Mogbo, and Ulrich Chomche will be relied on to give Poeltl a breather.
With unproven and flawed options behind Poeltl, it’s important to begin any discussion surrounding the Austrian with his health. The availability of Raptors like Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley is a popular point of discussion, but Poeltl hasn’t been the healthiest player since being traded back to Toronto.
In his four full seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Poeltl played in an average of 70 games per season. In the last two years with the Raptors, that number dropped to 53.5 games. Some of that can be attributed to conceding the chase for a playoff spot, but anything that takes Poeltl out of the lineup is a scenario the Raptors aren’t equipped to handle.
When Poeltl is on the court, the concern shifts to his fit with the current iteration of the Raptors. Fans and pundits have long clamoured for a stretch five option that harkens back to the 2019 championship team, but that player archetype is rare to come across through trade or free agency.
Most of the best centres in the league are ones that can, at the very least, occasionally stretch the floor. Poeltl finally expanded his horizons last year from the arc and still only averaged 0.1 attempts per game. The bigs that fall outside of that category often play next to four shooters or provide another skill at an elite level, like in the case of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ centre Rudy Gobert – but even he gets pulled out of big moments for spacing.
Another concern is whether Poeltl helps maximize the current starting five. In Toronto, he won’t be playing next to four shooters. Instead, it could be argued that he’ll be flanked by only two perimeter threats.
If the Raptors are hoping to deploy an elevated version of Ingram’s time in New Orleans, it’s encouraging that there’s existing evidence that it can be done with a big man like Poeltl. Ingram has had productive campaigns with power forward and centre tandems like Derrick Favors and Zion Williamson (2019-2020), and Williamson and Steven Adams (2020-21).
For Poeltl, the potential Raptors Rubik’s Cube type of roster construction is something he’s faced before.
“I’ve played in pick-and-roll situations, the dunker spot, at the top of the key as a connector,” said Poeltl. “I don’t think where you put me is that big of a difference; it’s just how I can find my impact there.”
Ideally, the seven-footer continues to work on his three like former Pelican centre Jonas Valanciunas did during his time next to Ingram, but even if Poeltl continues to be exactly who he is, that’s a quality starting big man.
Poeltl is one of the most efficient centres in the NBA, and that has long been his calling card since entering the league. He’s a near-lock to give the Raptors 12-15 points and nine to 10 rebounds on any given night. He’s not the most athletic big, but he’ll also consistently average close to one steal and block per game.
In addition to his reliability, Poeltl is a low-maintenance type of big man. Playing next to four other players who prefer to have the ball in their hands, Poeltl is a great fit in the Raptors’ starting lineup.
Another aspect to keep an eye on this season will be Poeltl’s success at the free-throw line. He made impressive strides last season, shooting a career-high 67.5 per cent from the charity stripe. His defence and presence on the glass are precious to this Raptors team, and continuing to improve at the line only increases his chances of staying on the court in crunch time.