Jakob Poeltl Expected To Earn Contract Upward of $20 Million Per Season

The Toronto Raptors will likely have to pay upward of $20 million per season in order to retain Jakob Poeltl in free agency this summer

Aaron Rose | Jun 16, 2023

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have made it clear they want Jakob Poeltl back next season but it’s certainly not going to come cheap.

The 27-year-old center is reportedly expected to earn upward of $20 million per season on his next contract, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger. Poeltl is projected to be valued at approximately $25.3 million for next season, Hollinger wrote, and while he’s unlikely to earn that, a figure closer to $20 million seems likely.

“I’m willing to bet the first digit on Poeltl’s 2023-24 salary is a 2,” wrote Hollinger.

Toronto traded a top-six protected first-round pick along with Khem Birch and multiple second-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs for Poeltl at the trade deadline. Since then, the Raptors have repeatedly said it’s their intention to re-sign Poeltl who heads into unrestricted free agency this summer.

Poeltl has shared his interest in re-signing with Toronto. He said he enjoyed his time with the Raptors last season and would like to be back if everything works out for him and the team.

“Summertime in the NBA, who knows what's going to happen,” he said during his season-ending media availability. “I don't know what we're going to look like as a team, what my situation is gonna be like.”

Poeltl is one of three key free agents for the Raptors alongside Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr.

It would be very tough — though possible — for Toronto to bring back all three free agents while staying under the luxury tax threshold with Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes all under contract as well. To do so, the Raptors would have to make a cost-saving trade and would likely be unable to use its mid-level exception to add to the roster without crossing the threshold.

NBA free agency will begin on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.

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