TORONTO – This isn’t the Toronto Raptors group that Jakob Poeltl re-signed with within the low season. He’s OK with that.
Poeltl was traded again to Toronto forward of final season’s NBA deadline, then the centre re-signed with the Raptors within the low season when it was nonetheless attainable that time guard Fred VanVleet would additionally re-up with the group.
Since then, VanVleet signed with the Houston Rockets, stalwart defender OG Anunoby was dealt to the New York Knicks and all-star Pascal Siakam, Poeltl’s finest pal in Toronto, was despatched to the Indiana Pacers.
Though shedding VanVleet, Anunoby and Siakam possible means the Raptors gained’t make the post-season, Poeltl’s at peace with the turnover so long as Toronto performs aggressive basketball.
“So long as it’s not a group that’s actually actively attempting to tank is the factor for me. I wish to play on a group that’s attempting to win each night time,” Poeltl stated after follow at OVO Athletic Centre on Thursday. “Although we had some adjustments, we misplaced some actually good gamers, I believe we’re nonetheless on a course the place we’re attempting to construct round this group proper now and we’re not trying to find a No. 1 draft choose.
“So long as that’s the case, I believe I’m going to be completely happy right here and I’m hoping to contribute to this new sort of Raptors group, this new challenge that we’re beginning.”
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Siakam’s departure was the toughest for Poeltl emotionally.
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The 2 had been chosen by Toronto within the first spherical of the 2016 NBA Draft and performed collectively on the Raptors’ growth group on their preliminary rookie contracts.
When Siakam was traded to Indiana on Jan. 17, Poeltl was one of many folks he first spoke with they usually have chatted once more since then. Poeltl stated Siakam appeared “fairly completely happy” together with his arrival in Indiana.
“I used to be mentally ready for it slightly bit already, simply because there was so many rumours, I knew it was a risk,” stated Poeltl, who had been traded by the Raptors to San Antonio again in 2018, solely to be returned to Toronto final season. “It didn’t hit me out of nowhere, I suppose. That made the method slightly bit simpler.
“It’s nonetheless actually unhappy for me to lose my finest pal on the group.”
Poeltl wasn’t on the Raptors’ lively listing when Siakam was traded. The 28-year-old Austrian has been out with an ankle harm since Jan. 7 when he awkwardly stepped on Siakam’s foot throughout a sport in Golden State in opposition to the Warriors.
The seven-foot centre was practising with Toronto on Wednesday and Thursday however isn’t but able to play in a sport. Jontay Porter has been the Raptors’ beginning centre 5 occasions in Poeltl’s place.
Poeltl has averaged 10.6 factors, 8.3 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists over 36 video games this season. Porter is averaging 4.9 factors, 3.4 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in his 11 video games with the Raptors this season, however he’s solely performed in 22 NBA video games over his profession.
Toronto has gone 1-7 within the eight video games since Poeltl was injured.
“I’d have to put in writing a ebook to put in writing down all of the issues I’ve realized on this quick time period,” stated Porter. “Each sport, each matchup, it looks like I’m studying one thing new.
“A variety of the occasions it’s from errors I’m making, which, you understand, it sucks to make errors, however on the similar time you’re studying from these to not make these errors once more sooner or later.”
Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley will possible be part of Poeltl on Toronto’s inactive listing in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic stated Quickley has been coping with a proper thigh contusion that has turn into extra sore since Monday’s 108-100 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“We determined it’s for the most effective for him to not follow at the moment and we’re simply going to be evaluating him daily,” stated Rajakovic. “He’s coming with us on this street journey (that begins Sunday), we’ll simply see when he’s going to have the ability to be part of us.”
Quickley is averaging 16.7 factors, 6.1 assists, and 4.6 rebounds over 12 video games with the Raptors since acquired him on Dec. 30 within the deal that despatched Anunoby to the Knicks.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 25, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
