Jakob Poeltl signed a $104 million, four-year deal extension with the Toronto Raptors in June this year, a signal that he is going to get a bigger role with the team as they try to level things up this season. They had a great November but things have turned miserable lately and fans are looking at him, putting his performance into microscope.
Raptors lost to the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, stretching their lose streak to four. They are now 1-6 in their last seven after recording a nine-game winning streak.
Poeltl scored 10 points in that game and also had 9 rebounds. However, fans thought those numbers were not impactful. He also had a point blank miss in that game.
Bro, how?!?!?! 😢💔 https://t.co/m6oqtDDjV8 pic.twitter.com/EPXlQgIMS7
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) December 10, 2025
Fans thought they are not getting the contract’s worth from his recent performances even if just a week ago, Poeltl was receiving praises from his teammates.
Jakob Poeltl is literally just a waste of space. Anytime he’s on the floor, he’s benefiting the opposing team, not a great rim protector, not athletic, gets bullied, a cone on the perimeter. but hey, look at his handoffs.
— Key (@PleaseMasai) December 10, 2025
Jakob Poeltl deadass has the WORST contract in the league
— , (@_6ixhoops) December 10, 2025
They are also blaming the franchise for mindlessly signing him to a huge contract.
Jakob Poeltl lets look through the facts
-Was a throw-in in the Kawhi trade
-Only good PR was being a bench player 8 years ago
-Declining rim protection
-Can’t shoot FTs
-Can’t play B2Bs at age 30
-Wasted a lottery pick to bring him back
-Paid him 25 mil for no reason pic.twitter.com/gopHek5sGX— 🎩 (@HR_6IX) December 10, 2025
Can’t trade jakob poeltl until Jan 6
pic.twitter.com/tiSLBsCfgP— RapsShowYo (@RapsShowYo) December 10, 2025
Others are being sympathetic as Poeltl is coming off a back injury.
This isn’t being talked about enough.
Jakob Pöltl is much better than this. https://t.co/LHBU1RJ0ov
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) December 10, 2025
Toronto Raptors coach defends Poeltl
The back injury must have been bothering the 30-year-old veteran. That’s what head coach Darko Rajaković thought, too, and so, he is being patient with the Austrian.
Poeltl suffered a back injury and missed the game on November 30 against the New York Knicks. He returned in the game after that but then missed the one against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 30.
Rajakovic is being patient with him.
“He definitely does not have rhythm. He’s not himself yet,” he told reporters after the game.
“Hopefully the next couple of days are going to allow him and everybody on the team to bounce back and recover. We’ll have some really good practices coming, and hopefully that gives us some good momentum.”
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