The Raptors’ centre rotation is starting to look a little less settled than it did a week ago.
Jakob Poeltl has opened the season as the starter, but his role was noticeably lighter in Toronto’s 129-99 win over the Orlando Magic. He played just 10 minutes, while backup centre Trayce Jackson-Davis got 20 minutes off the bench and made them count.
Jackson-Davis finished with 6 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. Poeltl had 2 points, 2 rebounds and no blocks.
One game won’t settle a position battle, and it would be a stretch to call Jackson-Davis the better centre based on one night. Still, that outing was hard to ignore.
What stood out was the way Jackson-Davis changed the feel of the game in his minutes. He brought energy around the basket, helped on the glass and added presence in the paint as Toronto protected its lead against Orlando. His mobility and ability to contest shots give head coach Darko Rajakovic another look at centre, especially when matchups call for something different.
Poeltl still brings plenty to the table. He remains a strong interior presence and, as an experienced player, offers value as a screener and passer on offense. The question for Toronto is less about whether Poeltl matters and more about how the Raptors want to shape the position depending on the lineup around him.
Kawhi Leonard being sidelined has opened up more minutes than usual, and that has created some room for Toronto to test options. Once Leonard returns, the Raptors will likely have to sort through the centre rotation again with a different set of minutes available.
It is reasonable to wonder whether Jackson-Davis should earn a bigger role going forward, but Toronto also has to make sure Poeltl is not pushed aside completely. Flexibility at centre could end up being a real advantage for this team.
Wednesday’s showing from Jackson-Davis was encouraging, but the bigger question is whether he can keep stacking performances like that as the season moves along.
Before the season, there was already discussion about whether Collin Murray-Boyles might get minutes at centre against certain opponents. If Jackson-Davis keeps producing at this level, that possibility looks a lot less likely. Even so, the Raptors are clearly experimenting, trying not to lean too heavily on one type of centre play.
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Now the front office may not be done reshaping the roster around Leonard. There is speculation that Toronto could look into a trade for veteran guard Jrue Holiday, a move that would add another proven piece and give the Raptors a different kind of balance alongside their new centerpiece. It is the sort of idea that can change the feel of a season quickly, and it gives Toronto another layer to monitor while Leonard waits to make his debut. [Read more 🡒]
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Raptors Fans Are About To See A Very Different Scotiabank Arena
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For fans who spend their nights moving through the concourses as much as watching the game, the overhaul is aimed squarely at the full experience around the court. MLSE officials have emphasized the upgrades as part of a broader effort to improve how Scotiabank Arena feels on event night, and the finished product should be noticeable from the moment fans walk in. [Read more 🡒]