The Toronto Raptors traded Khem Birch, a 2024 first-round pick (top-six protected) and second-round picks in 2023 and 2025 for Jakob Poeltl at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline.
Masai Ujiri felt that it was a good idea to buy at the trade deadline and try to push for the playoff. However, the Raptors ended up getting eliminated in the Play-In Tournament by the Chicago Bulls.
The Raptors then re-signed Poeltl in the offseason to a four-year $80 million deal. The move made sense because Toronto wasn’t going to lose him for nothing after giving up a 2024 first round pick for him.
The Raptors were looking to be completive this season, but the team has struggled mightily. They are 11-16 and are 12 in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors look like a team that is headed towards a rebuild.
As for Poeltl he is looking like a bad fit with the Raptors. This has been highlighted in the last two games. Poeltl has seen his minutes reduced due to his poor rebounding, defending and inability to contribute against the opposing matchup.
Poeltl was benched for most of the second half against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 18. He finished the game with 4 points in just 15 minutes of action.
Then Poeltl was benched once again in the second half against the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 20. Poeltl finished with 4 points in 19 minutes.
The fact is the Raptors have been a better team when Poeltl hasn’t been on the floor which is alarming:
Raptors over the last 7 games:
With Poeltl on the floor: -49
Without Poeltl: +23Good player. Bad fit.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 21, 2023
Good player, bad fit
As Josh Lewenberg said Poeltl is a good player, he’s just a bad fit on this Raptors team. It makes fans wonder even more why the Raptors made the trade.
The Raptors would have been much better with a stretch 5. Instead Poeltl’s abilities have been hindered on this Raptors team that doesn’t have enough playmaking or shooting.
Hopefully Poeltl can turn it around because right now the trade is looking very bad.
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