Jakob Poeltl has agreed to a four-year, $104 million contract extension to remain with the Toronto Raptors,ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Poeltl will pick up his $19.5 million player option for 2026-27, then have three more years added to his contract, per the report. Poeltl, 29, has played two-plus seasons in his second stint with the Raptors since arriving via a midseason trade in 2022-23 from the San Antonio Spurs. Heagreed to a four-year, $80 million contractthe following offseason to remain in Toronto. In extending Poeltl, the Raptors retain a versatile center who makes them better on both ends of the floor. Poeltl doesn't shoot from distance or efficiently from the free-throw line, but he does almost everything else at a high level as an efficient scorer, rebounder, playmaker and defender in the post. In 57 games last season, Poeltl averaged 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 62.7% from the field. The Raptors extend Poeltl as they seek to turn the page on their ongoing rebuild. Toronto hasn't made the playoffs since 2022 and has posted losing campaigns in each of the last two seasons, including a 30-52 effort in 2024-25. The Raptors boast an emerging NBA star in Scottie Barnes and added former All-Star wing Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline to a young core that also features RJ Barrett. With the No. 9 pick in last week's draft, they selected South Carolina wing Collin Murray-Boyles, whohas high upside as an NBA defender.Ingram didn't play for the Raptors after the trade as he continued to recover from an ankle injury. In a weakened East in which the Celtics, Pacers and Bucks project to take a step back amid injuries and roster transition, there's opportunity for the Raptors next season to turn the corner.
