Jakob Poeltl Steps Up as Raptors Adjust Without RJ Barrett
When RJ Barrett went down with a sprained right knee on Nov. 23, the Raptors lost more than just a scorer - they lost a driving force in their paint attack. And while Jakob Poeltl isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of replacing a dynamic wing, the big man has taken it upon himself to help fill the void.
Barrett had been putting up 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game before the injury, and more importantly, he was doing it with a relentless downhill style. Over a third of his shots came within three feet of the rim, and another 22.4% came in that tough in-between zone - three to ten feet.
That’s not just volume; that’s pressure. And without it, Toronto’s offense has had to recalibrate.
Poeltl spoke after practice at the OVO Athletic Centre on Wednesday, pulling back the curtain on how the Raptors are adjusting without their Canadian swingman.
“Without RJ, we have less pressure on the paint,” Poeltl said. “And when teams start switching, our offense can get a little stagnant. That’s when I’ve got to get more involved - flashing to the high post, initiating pick-and-rolls - just trying to create more movement.”
It’s not the kind of offensive responsibility Poeltl is typically asked to shoulder, but it’s a role he’s embracing. Through 16 games, he’s averaging 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists - solid numbers, especially considering he’s been managing a lower back issue that keeps him out of one half of back-to-backs.
But more than the stats, it’s the little things - the screens, the cuts, the timing - that are helping Toronto find its rhythm without Barrett. And Poeltl’s screen-setting, in particular, is drawing praise from teammates.
“Unbelievable, man,” said Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley after Tuesday’s 121-118 win over Portland. “I got to give a shout out to Jakob.
He’s one of the best screen setters I’ve played with. He’s such an unselfish player, putting his body on the line defensively.
That kind of stuff doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it means everything to us.”
Poeltl’s screening craft didn’t just develop overnight. It traces back to an early-career conversation with Kyle Lowry - the Raptors legend known for squeezing every ounce of advantage out of a possession.
“(Lowry) was really preaching just being more physical on screens,” Poeltl said. “Getting away from the college-type screen, where you just stand there.
In the NBA, there’s more room for some grabbing, holding, pushing off a little bit. I’ve tried to incorporate that into my screen-and-roll game over the years.”
It’s a subtle art, but one that’s paying dividends. With Barrett out, Toronto’s offense needs movement, spacing, and decision-making from everyone - including the five. Poeltl’s ability to initiate from the high post or open up lanes with a well-timed screen has become a quiet engine behind the Raptors’ ball movement.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic knows just how much Barrett’s absence changes the equation, especially for the second unit.
“RJ means a lot to us, obviously, offensively,” Rajakovic said. “His ability to touch the paint, to playmake, to score - we’re missing a lot.
But we’re not complaining. We’re just trying to maximize what we have right now.”
And what they have is a center who’s playing smart, physical basketball on both ends of the floor. That’ll be crucial Thursday night when the Raptors host the 15-5 Los Angeles Lakers at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto’s defense will be tasked with slowing down the star power of Luka Doncic and LeBron James - a tall order for any team, let alone one missing a key perimeter defender like Barrett.
Poeltl knows the challenge ahead.
“Even if they’re guys that can read the floor, that are known to make good passes - how can we still make it as hard as possible on them?” he said.
“How can we disrupt their ball movement? How can we get them to play stagnant?”
It’s about more than just contesting shots. It’s about disrupting rhythm, closing passing lanes, and forcing even the game’s best into uncomfortable spots.
“Maybe play them into some ISO situations, make those passing angles tough, give our defense enough time to react,” Poeltl added.
It’s a tall task, but if the Raptors are going to keep pace in the East while Barrett recovers, they’ll need more of the same from Poeltl - screens, smarts, and a little bit of that Lowry-inspired edge.
And right now, he’s delivering.