Toronto Raptors Jakob Poeltl v Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis
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With Jakob Poetlt going down once again with back issues, questions about the Raptors center position lead back to trade rumors about Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis.
The Toronto Raptors are winning, but uncertainty continues to surround their center rotation. Starting center Jakob Poeltl is out indefinitely with persistent back issues, the team announced, creating concern as Toronto pushes up the Eastern Conference standings. The timing adds pressure with the trade deadline approaching.
Poeltl last played on Dec. 21 against Brooklyn, logging just seven minutes before exiting with the injury. He has now missed 17 straight games and has appeared in only 21 contests this season, sitting out more than half of Toronto’s schedule.
When available, Poeltl has remained efficient despite a reduced role. He is averaging 9.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting an elite 69.3 percent from the field. It marks the first time since the 2020-21 season that he has averaged fewer than 10 points per game, reflecting both availability and usage. Despite that absence, Toronto has not slowed down.
Toronto Thrives Despite Poeltl’s Absence
The Raptors have built a system capable of absorbing injuries, and this season has tested that flexibility. Toronto has surged to a 29-19 record, riding a four-game winning streak that included a statement victory over defending champion Oklahoma City. The team has found stability even without its starting center.
Sandro Mamukelashvili has filled the void. The 6-foot-9 forward has started 10 games in Poeltl’s absence and provided consistent production. He averages 11.2 points and 5.1 rebounds overall, but his impact rises in the starting lineup. In those starts, Mamukelashvili is producing 16.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Defense has anchored Toronto’s success. The Raptors allow just 112.2 points per game, sixth-best in the NBA. That effort has helped offset offensive limitations, as Toronto ranks 23rd in scoring at 114.3 points per game.
The formula has kept the Raptors within reach of the conference’s top tier. They remain in the mix for the No. 2 seed, currently held by Boston, and have shown the ability to win through depth, a physical defense, and by being one of the top assist teams in the league (29.6 per game, 4th most in the NBA). Still, Poeltl’s indefinite absence forces the front office to weigh long-term answers at center.
Sabonis Trade Buzz Grows Ahead of Deadline
That uncertainty has fueled growing trade speculation. Multiple reports link Toronto to Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, who appears increasingly likely to move before the deadline. League executives expect Sacramento to explore a broader teardown that could include Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick highlighted Toronto as a legitimate suitor.
“Domantas Sabonis is still worth monitoring in the weeks ahead,” Amick reported. “When Toronto rolled through town on Wednesday, it wasn’t all that hard to imagine him putting on a Raptors jersey sometime soon. While Washington, Phoenix, and Chicago are known to have had some interest in Sabonis, league sources confirmed reports that Toronto is a legitimate possibility as we approach the deadline.”
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reinforced that view, noting Sabonis sits at the top of Toronto’s target list.
“I have been told by various NBA figures that the Raptors are still intrigued by the prospect of pursuing Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis,” Fischer reported.
Sabonis has moved past his injury concerns. A partially torn meniscus sidelined him starting Nov. 19 and cost him nearly two months. He returned on Jan. 16 and has gradually ramped up his workload.
Through 14 games, Sabonis is averaging 15.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 51.9 percent from the field. Sacramento continues to manage his minutes, but his health no longer limits his market.
Toronto’s situation is clear. The Raptors are winning now, but Poeltl’s timeline remains uncertain. Sabonis offers a proven solution at center and a potential ceiling-raiser for a team with a strong defensive identity to cover for his weaknesses and an emphasis on ball movement that could highlight his strengths as a passer.
With momentum on their side and questions mounting in the frontcourt, Toronto’s next move may define the rest of its season.