The Toronto Raptors extended big man Jakob Poeltl Tuesday, signing the veteran center to a new four-year, $104 million contract. Poeltl will receive a slight pay raise from the deal he signed in 2023, bumping his earnings up to an estimated 15 percent of the cap.
The Raptors and Poeltl's agents, Michael Tellem and Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports, discussed several frameworks of a deal such as opt-out-and-extend — but the sides land on an opt-in-and-extend, giving Toronto flexibility in the next two seasons. https://t.co/ouSOFedDYS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Poeltl has been a positive starting center for years now, averaging career-highs across the board last season — 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 64.4 percent true shooting. He’s one of the better all-around bigs in the league, adding value in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor.
Toronto asks Poeltl to operate as an offensive hub, weaponizing his playmaking feel to spray passes to cutters and shooters. He ranked in the 82nd percentile for potential assists and 91st for rim assists, making the most of a Raptors offense which ranked 23rd in 3-point frequency and 29th in 3-point accuracy last season.
Though Poeltl isn’t an explosive vertical athlete, he adds defensive value through smart positioning and quick reaction time. He’s a solid rim protector as far as centers go, but his off-ball playmaking — logging an excellent 4.4 deflections per 100 possessions last season — eclipses many true centers.
Grade: B
It makes sense for Toronto to ink Poeltl for the immediate future, locking him in for the tail end of his prime. Finding quality, reliable starting center play in the NBA today isn’t easy. Poeltl will bring the efficient scoring, playmaking and defense teams covet.
The Raptors have painted themselves into a bit of a corner with their roster management and cap situation over the last few seasons, investing in an unproven core that’s yet to make any postseason noise. Much like RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram has previously thrived as an off-ball scorer and will benefit from Poeltl greasing the wheels offensively.
They’ll spend nearly $164 million on Poeltl, Barrett, Ingram, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley next season. That isn’t a championship or even locked-in playoff core, but the Raptors will eclipse the tax to keep them together. Poeltl isn’t to blame for their situation, though, and letting him walk for nothing wouldn’t do much for Toronto’s long-term outlook.
