The Toronto Raptors traded for Jakob Poeltl at least season’s NBA Trade Deadline.
The Raptors traded Khem Birch, a protected 2024 first-round pick (top-6 protected) and two future second-round picks for the Australian Hammer.
Toronto ended up re-signing Poeltl this past summer to a four-year, $80 million deal. While many people have been skeptical of the move, Poeltl looks to solidify himself as one of the league’s top centers.
It’s been a season filled with ups and down for Poeltl, but he is coming off his best performance of the year. He put up a season-high 18 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was the main reason why the Raptors had a chance to win this game in the fourth quarter.
Where Poeltl has been very effective this season is from within 8 feet of the basket.
Poeltl has a quick release with either his right or left hand and he’s able to get the ball up in the basket before the defender has time to react. Poeltl is finishing around the rim mainly off passes from his teammates.
He is the best in the NBA so far this season with his inside scoring:
FG% within 8 feet of the hoop this season:
3. Giannis – 69.8%
2. LeBron – 73.5%
1. Jakob – 75.9%— 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 (@AaronBenRose) November 27, 2023
For the season Poeltl is averaging 11.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in 26.5 minutes of action.
Poeltl is not only efficient inside but he’s done a great job passing the basketball. He’s the best passing big man the Raptors have had since Marc Gasol.
If the Raptors want to get over the hump and be a playoff team this season they need Poeltl to be his best.
Next up for the Raptors
The Raptors will travel to Brooklyn to take on the Nets on Nov. 28. This will be the Raptors final In-Season Tournament game. Toronto is eliminated from the In-Season Tournament, but the Nets are still alive.
Toronto is in the midst of a tough stretch of 8 games in 13 nights. The team sits at 8-9 and looks to get back to .500 after their loss to the Cavaliers.
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