TORONTO – The glue of the Toronto Raptors is sticking around for an additional 4 years.
Jakob Poeltl and the Raptors announced on Tuesday that the centre had signed a multiyear contract extension. Financial details weren’t disclosed, but multiple outlets reported the deal is value US$104 million over 4 years.
The 29-year-old from Austria averaged a career-high 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, together with 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in 57 regular-season games for Toronto last season. He also shot 62.7 per cent from the sector, rating fifth within the NBA amongst qualified players.
“I just felt more comfortable being more aggressive in various kinds of situations,” said Poeltl at his end-of-season media availability in April. “I feel that shows on the stat sheet, like offensively, where I used to be taking so much more shots, and I used to be, I feel, more involved in an energetic kind of way.
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“Up to now, I used to be possibly more of a passive piece of our offence where I might help other guys get shots, but this 12 months, I felt like I had more opportunities and I used to be more comfortable attacking it head-on.”
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Poeltl, a first-round pick (ninth overall) by the Raptors within the 2016 NBA draft, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs with DeMar DeRozan within 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.
“Toronto has all the time felt like home for me — I would like to be a Raptor for all times,” Poeltl said in a release. “Due to (general manager Bobby Webster) and team ownership for believing in me, and to the fans for his or her amazing support.
“We’ve a young core that’s stuffed with potential and I consider we’re able to take the following step. I can’t wait to get together back on the Scotiabank Arena court.”
The seven-foot, 245-pound Poeltl has averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 595 profession games. Point guard Immanuel Quickley, Poeltl’s primary pick-and-roll partner, praised the large man at his media availability in April.
“Twiddling with great players is straightforward. Jakob’s one other great player,” said Quickley. “He makes my job easier because he gets you so many easy free assists and he’s all the time in the precise spots.
“His push shot is among the best within the league. Defensively, he covers for a whole lot of mistakes that we’ve on defence. It’s great fiddling with Jakob.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press