NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors "A Lock" To Re-Sign Free Agent

The Toronto Raptors have some big decisions to make this offseason, not the least of which is the fate of their three possible free agents. 

Even without a new head coach in place, it's already seen as a slam dunk by insiders around the league that center Jakob Poeltl will be re-signed by Masai Ujiri and Co. to a shiny new contract this summer. "Pencil Poeltl back with the team," writes Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. 

Per multiple sources around the league, the Toronto Raptors are a "lock" to bring back center Jakob Poeltl, whom the team initially drafted at No. 9 in 2016.

Poeltl came in at the trade deadline and had an immediate impact on the Raptors, improving both their defense and their offense significantly. The team had its best stretch of the season after his arrival. 

The Austrian big man averaged 13.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocked shots in his 26 games back in Toronto. He began his career there before being sacrificed, much to their chagrin, in the trade with the San Antonio Spurs that landed Kawhi Leonard (and ultimately, a championship). 

Poeltl is coming off an average annual salary of $8.7M, but the Raptors are expected to offer him a contract in the $13-$15M per year range. 

Other potential (and likely) Raptors free agents include Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr., both of whom can opt out of their contracts to hit the open market. 

Earlier, we had a look at three contenders who could make a play for VanVleet using a new CBA clause. 

Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports