The Raptors have unfortunately been hampered by a severe lack of size and presence near the glass. Those in Raptors Nation have long been aware that this has been an issue, even after Toronto’s offseason pursuit of Sandro Mamukelashvili, who certainly brings an offensive spark but is not quite a true backup center.
Things have only worsened as the 2025-26 season has revealed. The Raptors' veteran starting center, Jakob Poeltl, has clearly been playing at less than 100 percent, plagued by early injuries including a broken nose and a compromised back. As a result, the team has taken a significant hit with Poeltl’s decline and the evident lack of suitable substitutes, now falling to a four-game losing streak.