Latest news with #Poeltl
Toronto Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Raptors lock up Jakob Poeltl and, unlike Toronto teammates, it wasn't an overpay
Team wants to be competitive and big Austrian has made them better over years. Get the latest from Ryan Wolstat straight to your inbox Toronto Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl reacts after being charged with a foul during a game against the Golden State Warriors. AP Photo To borrow from Jay-Z, the Toronto Raptors might have 99 problems, but a centre ain't one. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The team officially locked up Jakob Poeltl on Tuesday to a deal worth $104 million US over four years. Poeltl, who turns 30 in October, averaged career highs of 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 29.6 minutes in 57 games last season, but his impact goes way beyond the raw stats. While some have scoffed since details of the contract first leaked out last week, arguing it was an overpay, anyone who says that simply hasn't watched a lot of Raptors games since the big Austrian was re-acquired from San Antonio in 2023. Toronto has been passable (winning just under 40% of the time and barely getting outscored when he has been on the court) with Poeltl, the team's best rebounder, interior defender and screen setter in the lineup and downright horrific (winning just 22.8% of the time while getting outscored by nearly 1,000 points in 57 games) without him. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While defence is Poeltl's bread and butter, even without attempting any three-pointers, Poeltl also is a big help on offence. He shot 62.7% from the floor in 2024-25, fifth in the NBA, is a clever passer and has great hands. In a perfect world the Raptors would surround star player Scottie Barnes with a floor-spacing centre, given the former rookie of the year's stalled development as an outside shooter, but Poeltl does everything else at either an elite or above-average level. 'Jakob has developed into one of the league's top two-way centres and signing him to an extension was a top priority this off season,' Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said in a statement. 'As valuable as he is on the floor, we also really appreciate his leadership and experience off-court. Jak shares our goals — he wants to win as much we do, and we're thrilled he'll be a Raptor for seasons to come.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Poeltl originally was drafted ninth overall in 2016 by the Raptors and never wanted to leave, but was a key ask for San Antonio in the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster. 'Toronto has always felt like home for me — I want to be a Raptor for life. Thanks to Bobby and team ownership for believing in me, and to the fans for their amazing support,' Poeltl said in the statement. 'We have a young core that's full of potential and I believe we're ready to take the next step. I can't wait to get together back on the Scotiabank Arena court.' The last part was a happy change from last Fall. Poeltl has long been aligned with Toronto's plans and even raised some eyebrows when he candidly said at media day last September what was obvious, but usually left unspoken — that it was going to be a developmental year for the franchise. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I think we all know we are not going to attack the championship this year,' Poeltl said ahead of that season. 'It makes no sense for us to try to win every single game as much as we can and sacrifice development.' The Raptors met one goal in successfully developing a new young core, but failed at the other dream of landing in the high lottery. The repeated resting of key veterans didn't result in a place at the bottom of the standings. Now, as Poeltl mentioned, things have changed. The Eastern Conference is wide open and a franchise that has missed the playoffs in four of the past five seasons is ready to turn a corner. Poeltl has only 22 games of playoff experience. He missed out on most of Toronto's 'We the North' success and landed with the Spurs right before a rebuild. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As for the contract and the naysayers, well, Poeltl agreed to pick up his player option of $19.5 million, meaning he will once again get that amount this season and next after already receiving it in the previous two seasons. Toronto did very well on that contract, Poeltl was underpaid. With the deal staying low for two more seasons, the team's salary-cap crunch is eased. By the time he gets $26 million, $28.1 million and as much as $30.25 million (the final year is only partially guaranteed) the NBA's salary cap will have gone up, helping Toronto deal with the rise in what Poeltl commands. Centres of his caliber make similar money and he has long been in high demand, with teams constantly calling the Raptors about his availability over the years. The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo recently argued on the Bill Simmons Podcast that Toronto has the bleakest five-year future in the East, in large part, they argued, because every key player was given too much money. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While there's some truth to that — Immanuel Quickley hasn't proven he's worth anywhere close to the $32.5 million he now commands annually, Brandon Ingram's injury history makes his nearly $40 million annually a clear overpay (especially given the current icy cap climate in the NBA due to the restrictive luxury-tax aprons), RJ Barrett likely wouldn't find the same annual value on the open market these days either. The argument against Barnes is flawed. How often has anyone seen a former rookie of the year and all-star not get maxed out? Orlando's Paolo Banchero just signed his own five-year deal for even more (and a lot more if Banchero qualifies for the supermax). Banchero's a far superior offensive player, but they aren't close defensively. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Plus, they're ignoring the many low-cost players on rookie deals who fill out the rotation. As well, outsiders seem to be unaware that it simply costs a bit more to get players signed in Toronto. OG Anunoby was probably the last surprising bargain landed by Toronto. A little extra helps offset the taxes (though why that isn't also the case in places with similarly high taxes, like California and New York is a good question). Regardless, Poeltl's new deal won't fall into the overpay category for the Raptors. We've seen what life is like on the court without him and it isn't pretty. @WolstatSun Canada Canada Toronto Blue Jays Crime Sunshine Girls
Edmonton Journal
08-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Raptors lock up Jakob Poeltl and, unlike Toronto teammates, it wasn't an overpay
Article content The team officially locked up Jakob Poeltl on Tuesday to a deal worth $104 million US over four years. Article content Article content Poeltl, who turns 30 in October, averaged career highs of 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 29.6 minutes in 57 games last season, but his impact goes way beyond the raw stats. Article content While some have scoffed since details of the contract first leaked out last week, arguing it was an overpay, anyone who says that simply hasn't watched a lot of Raptors games since the big Austrian was re-acquired from San Antonio in 2023. Article content Article content Toronto has been passable (winning just under 40% of the time and barely getting outscored when he has been on the court) with Poeltl, the team's best rebounder, interior defender and screen setter in the lineup and downright horrific (winning just 22.8% of the time while getting outscored by nearly 1,000 points in 57 games) without him. Article content While defence is Poeltl's bread and butter, even without attempting any three-pointers, Poeltl also is a big help on offence. He shot 62.7% from the floor in 2024-25, fifth in the NBA, is a clever passer and has great hands. Article content In a perfect world the Raptors would surround star player Scottie Barnes with a floor-spacing centre, given the former rookie of the year's stalled development as an outside shooter, but Poeltl does everything else at either an elite or above-average level. Article content Article content 'Jakob has developed into one of the league's top two-way centres and signing him to an extension was a top priority this off season,' Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said in a statement. Article content Article content 'As valuable as he is on the floor, we also really appreciate his leadership and experience off-court. Jak shares our goals — he wants to win as much we do, and we're thrilled he'll be a Raptor for seasons to come.' Article content 'Toronto has always felt like home for me — I want to be a Raptor for life. Thanks to Bobby and team ownership for believing in me, and to the fans for their amazing support,' Poeltl said in the statement. 'We have a young core that's full of potential and I believe we're ready to take the next step. I can't wait to get together back on the Scotiabank Arena court.' Article content The last part was a happy change from last Fall. Poeltl has long been aligned with Toronto's plans and even raised some eyebrows when he candidly said at media day last September what was obvious, but usually left unspoken — that it was going to be a developmental year for the franchise.
Hamilton Spectator
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Raptors sign centre Jakob Poeltl to multiyear contract extension
TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors have signed centre Jakob Poeltl to a multiyear contract extension, the NBA club announced Tuesday. Financial details were not disclosed, but multiple outlets reported the deal is worth US$104 million over four years. The 29-year-old from Austria averaged a career-high 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, along with 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in 57 regular-season games for the Raptors last season. He also shot 62.7 per cent from the field, ranking fifth in the NBA among qualified players. Poeltl, a first-round pick (ninth overall) by the Raptors in the 2016 NBA draft, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs with DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi Leonard deal back in 2018. Poeltl was then traded back to the Raptors in 2023 and signed to a four-year, $78 million contract. The seven-foot, 245-pound Poeltl has averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 595 career games. 'Toronto has always felt like home for me — I want to be a Raptor for life,' Poeltl said in a release. 'Thanks to (general manager Bobby Webster) and team ownership for believing in me, and to the fans for their amazing support. 'We have a young core that's full of potential and I believe we're ready to take the next step. I can't wait to get together back on the Scotiabank Arena court.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Raptors sign centre Jakob Poeltl to multiyear contract extension
TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors have signed centre Jakob Poeltl to a multiyear contract extension, the NBA club announced Tuesday. Financial details were not disclosed, but multiple outlets reported the deal is worth US$104 million over four years. The 29-year-old from Austria averaged a career-high 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, along with 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in 57 regular-season games for the Raptors last season. He also shot 62.7 per cent from the field, ranking fifth in the NBA among qualified players. Poeltl, a first-round pick (ninth overall) by the Raptors in the 2016 NBA draft, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs with DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi Leonard deal back in 2018. Poeltl was then traded back to the Raptors in 2023 and signed to a four-year, $78 million contract. The seven-foot, 245-pound Poeltl has averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 595 career games. 'Toronto has always felt like home for me — I want to be a Raptor for life,' Poeltl said in a release. 'Thanks to (general manager Bobby Webster) and team ownership for believing in me, and to the fans for their amazing support. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'We have a young core that's full of potential and I believe we're ready to take the next step. I can't wait to get together back on the Scotiabank Arena court.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.
Global News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
Raptors sign centre Poeltl to multiyear extension
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors have signed centre Jakob Poeltl to a multiyear contract extension, the NBA club announced Tuesday. Financial details were not disclosed, but multiple outlets reported the deal is worth US$104 million over four years. The 29-year-old from Austria averaged a career-high 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, along with 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in 57 regular-season games for the Raptors last season. Story continues below advertisement He also shot 62.7 per cent from the field, ranking fifth in the NBA among qualified players. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Poeltl, a first-round pick (ninth overall) by the Raptors in the 2016 NBA draft, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs with DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi Leonard deal back in 2018. Poeltl was then traded back to the Raptors in 2023 and signed to a four-year, $78 million contract. The seven-foot, 245-pound Poeltl has averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 595 career games. 'Toronto has always felt like home for me — I want to be a Raptor for life,' Poeltl said in a release. 'Thanks to (general manager Bobby Webster) and team ownership for believing in me, and to the fans for their amazing support. 'We have a young core that's full of potential and I believe we're ready to take the next step. I can't wait to get together back on the Scotiabank Arena court.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.
