Unfinished business is paramount in Jakob Poeltl’s return to Raptors
Wrapping up some unfinished business is just one of the reasons why Jakob Poeltl is back with the Toronto Raptors.
Poeltl and Jalen McDaniels were formally introduced by the Raptors on Thursday after a week of media speculation that they had signed with the team as free agents. Poeltl, who was drafted by Toronto and returned to the Raptors in a trade on February 9, said he wanted to finish what he started with the team last season.
“We really didn’t finish the season the way we wanted,” Poeltl said, referring to Toronto’s play-in loss to the Chicago Bulls. “I know I feel comfortable here in this city, in this team, with these fans.
“There are a lot of really good positives here in Toronto and they’ve all struggled a little bit to make this decision happen the way it did.”
Poeltl was selected ninth overall by the Raptors in 2016, becoming the first Austrian player in league history to do so. He was traded to the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2018–19 season in the deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, and was re-acquired at last season’s trade deadline for Khem Birch, a first-round pick in 2024 and second-round pick in 2023. and 2025.
Try to avoid playing in
Toronto failed to make the playoffs, finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 41–41 record, losing to Chicago 109–105 in the first round of the NBA’s play-in tournament .
“It’s definitely something we need to build on,” Poeltl said at a press conference at the Scotiabank Arena. “Hopefully we have a season where we don’t even put ourselves in a situation like that.
“[We want a situation] where our fate is decided in a series of seven games and not in a one-off game.”
After the Raptors burned out to the Bulls, team president Masai Ujiri caused a major stir by firing head coach Nick Nurse and signing veteran point guard Fred VanVleet with the Houston Rockets.
“I’ve never really been one of the really vocal leaders, like Fred was for us last year,” said 27-year-old Poeltl. “It’s definitely something that I think the whole team will have to stand up for us.
Poeltl signed a multi-year contract to remain with Toronto, but the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. According to media reports, the contract is worth $80 million over four years. The six-foot-tall Austrian averaged 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 72 games between the Spurs and Raptors last season.
“Jakob was immediately present on the floor when he returned to us last season. He is a smart rim protector with a hard nose,” Ujiri said in a statement. “We strongly believe in Jakob as a player and as an individual since day 1, and we are thrilled that he will be a Raptor for years to come.”
McDaniels excited to work with Rajakovic
McDaniels also agreed to a multi-year deal but, like Poeltl, the financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The six-foot-tall forward averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.9 minutes in 80 games with the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers last season.
He is expected to add some depth to a Raptors roster that relied heavily on Siakam, Anunoby and Barnes on the wings last season. McDaniels said he is happy to work with new head coach Darko Rajakovic, who served as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2020 to 2023.
“His style of play in Memphis was everyone touching the ball, sharing the ball, so it should be fun there,” said McDaniels. “Sharing the ball makes everyone play better,
“I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I’m pretty sure I’ll call him today or someday.”
The Raptors have yet to confirm that point guard Dennis Scroder has signed with the team. Several media reports say he agreed to a two-year deal worth $26 million last week.
