'Happy to be back': Jakob Poeltl on returning to Raptors

Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl discusses finding out about the trade, his friendships on the team and how he fits on this version of Toronto.

Video Transcript

- So how has the last 4 and 1/2 years been?

JAKOB POELTL: You know what? Pretty good. I feel like it's flown by in general. Like life in the NBA just flies by. But it's been good. Happy to be back.

- This convenient timing, having been here on Wednesday. Did you have any idea at that point that something like this could happen?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, there's plenty of rumors. Obviously, you never know for sure. I thought there was a chance that they would trade me, but I didn't know exactly where. I knew there was multiple teams that were interested. So it was still very much up in the air. I was a little distracted these last couple of days. But yeah, it's good to just have it over with, and I'm glad it worked out this way.

- Obviously, it's never easy being traded in the middle of the season. But does the familiarity with the city and the organization sort of help ease that transition?

JAKOB POELTL: Oh, it definitely helps. Yeah. Even just getting to the facility yesterday, like watching shootaround today, like it all feels familiar. Like the halls are still the same, like everything looks the same. So yeah, that definitely helps.

- What do you think you'd take away from 4 and 1/2 years playing for the Spurs, playing for Pop, and how did you evolved as a player because of that experience?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, I feel like I got opportunities to grow as a player there. Played many different roles. When I first got there, I was kind of working myself into the system. And then over the years, our teams got younger, and I had to take on more and more responsibilities, and I think it really helped me grow as a player, develop my game. So yeah, I really appreciate that.

And also, I think my time there was great. I had great coaches along way along the way. Obviously, Pop taught me a lot on and off the court. Like he's one of those guys that you can really talk to about things in life. So yeah, I really appreciate my time in San Antonio for all that.

- Did you become a wine guy? Did he teach you how to be a wine guy?

JAKOB POELTL: I'm from Austria. So technically, I was probably a wine guy before that. But I don't think anybody's getting up to Pop's level.

- What was your reaction to finding out officially, like however they told you that you were coming?

JAKOB POELTL: Yeah. I was excited. It was a little bit of mixed emotions, like I'm leaving a life behind in San Antonio. I was there for 4 and 1/2 years. But I was definitely excited just to get out there and-- like this past season was a little bit tough because we've been losing games.

So like I was excited to get out there and play like winning basketball again, like try and play for a playoff spot. Like go out there and compete again. So those are things that very, very much excited me. And then also just having guys here that I was familiar with, like getting back with like P, Fred, OG, all those guys. Like yeah. It should make for a fun year for sure.

- So any way to compare how you felt and your level of surprise being traded the first time versus this time?

JAKOB POELTL: It was very different. Very different experiences. I feel like the first time around, it caught me off guard a little bit more. Also, once you've been through it once, it becomes easier I guess. And then also just this being in the middle of the season, like the game here made it a little bit weird. I'm not going to lie. But yeah. So I feel like two different experiences, but I definitely learned from the first time being traded. So it didn't feel as confusing I would almost say.

- Pascal was saying how when you guys first started to play together, he was stronger than you. And now, you might be a little bit stronger than him. Can you confirm that this was the case?

JAKOB POELTL: All lies. All lies. Maybe back in college, he might have been stronger than me, but--

- And how have you seen his game changed since you last worked together?

JAKOB POELTL: Yeah. I was talking about him a couple of days ago. He's developed into a great basketball player. He's really developed his offensive game to a point where he has so many different weapons that he can go to. And he's making really good reads out of it. It's one thing to like have all the skill, but then like to apply it in the right moments and like to make the right reads, make tough shots. It's not easy to do, and he's definitely shown that by making another jump this year. He's playing great.

- What do you feel like the biggest area of growth in your game has come since you were here?

JAKOB POELTL: I think a lot of it has come with maturity, just like trying to read the game, play different types of roles. Like I've played some very supportive roles. And then lately, I've been playing more active, like trying to be a little bit of a playmaker out there. Obviously, yet you develop all this stuff. Like your touch gets a little bit better. Your shot gets a little bit better. Like all these things, like these skills develop. But I think just reading the game, like everything is like slowing down. Making the right reads, making plays for my teammates has really been something that I've been focusing on lately and I've been having more success with.

- Speaking of playmaking, Masai yesterday was saying how sometimes this team played for themselves a little bit this year, and it's a team that ranks towards the bottom of the league in assists. So how much do you look forward to stepping in and kind of helping with the ball movement? And also, how, as your career has grown, have you come to enjoy being a playmaker?

JAKOB POELTL: I've always enjoyed that. I've always tried to look for an extra pass. I always try to look for the best possible shot. So yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to that. For now, I'm still trying to figure out the system, like trying to figure out all the stuff. So I'm probably going to try and like make my way into this system. And then like as I get more comfortable, I'm going to try and pick my spots, to like really put my game in like the things that I can bring to the table, and like trying to apply those to the team, and like hopefully help us win more games that way.

- What is the key to the spacing with what you're going to be playing in lineups with Siakam, Barnes, and yourself. Three guys who aren't high volume three-point shooters. How do you guys make the spacing work in those lineups.

JAKOB POELTL: I've had a lot of experience over the last year or two with limited spacing. So I think it's about just finding your spots. Part of that was me making plays. So like when I flashed to the high post, like we'd have a lot of cuts, stuff like that. Like when I know that P or Scotty are trying to get to post ISO or something like that, like find the right space.

And even though you might not shoot it, find the right spacing. Stretch the court and then cut it the right moment, like to make the defense react to it. And then you have other guys out there shooting you on the court that might get open from that. So there's many different ways to do it. There's definitely things that defenses can take away from us, but then we'll have advantages on other ends. Like for example, on the offensive glass and stuff like that.

- Your last full season here, '18 with bench mob and all of that. You guys were such a great bench unit and almost had your own style within the team a little bit, and that kind of had a lot of input there. So is there some carryover. Like when you're sitting in shootaround here, is some of that stuff kind of seem familiar, or has everything kind of changed?

JAKOB POELTL: I think it's still tough to say. I think there is definitely some carryover, just like with the flow of the offense. I think back then, if I remember correctly, like our second unit, just like the ball was just moving right to left, left or right very quickly, compared to our starting unit who played more of a slower pace. So I think that definitely carries over, just like the pace and the activity. Like just swing the ball, left or right all over the court. It's tough to speak on right now. Like I said, I haven't seen it long enough yet, but I'm sure I'll be able to figure that out.

- Why did you change your number? Why number 19?

JAKOB POELTL: I knew you guys were going to ask me that. I changed it up because I felt like it was a new chapter here. Like I felt like the 42 was my first two years here. And then I wanted to change it up. And then 19, it's . Personal I'm not going to tell you guys.

- You're going into a contract year. We always ask these kind of questions. How focused are you on that, and could you envision this being an option if you're in free agency?

JAKOB POELTL: Definitely. I think they wouldn't have traded for me if they don't see it as a long term option for me. It's definitely something I can see for the long term as well. I mean, that's summer stuff that I'm going to worry about then. Like now, I'm trying to focus on like getting some wins, getting back to a playoff spot. Like obviously, for me, to try and figure out this team, like there's a lot of new faces out there that I got to build some chemistry with. So that's my main focus right now. And then I'll figure out all the rest of it come summertime.

- You mentioned that the first time you got dealt, it hit you harder. How much did you kind of stay in contact with Fred, Pascal, OG in the beginning, and did it kind of get easier over time, or did you just like stay in touch with them throughout?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, I think the trade itself hit me pretty hard just because it was a new experience. But then once I got to San Antonio, it was definitely a positive experience for me. But I definitely stayed in touch with those guys. More than anybody probably, Pascal. I was probably the closest with him when I was here. But yeah, even OG and Fred, like we'd talk to each other all the time. Like when we see each other in the summer, like when we played against each other, all this stuff. It's fun to keep up with those guys, and it's nice that you can just kind of pick it back up where you left off.

- When you'd come and play here. Like obviously, DeMar would get this great ovation. But you get really nice ovations too. Did you recognize that the fanbase really appreciated the short time that you had here?

JAKOB POELTL: Yeah. I did notice that. I still get some cheers too. I still get recognized in the street every now and then. So that's fun to see for sure. And yeah, I remember from back in the day, the fans here are very passionate. So I'm very much looking forward to that again.

- Do you anticipate playing tonight?

JAKOB POELTL: I honestly have no idea. Like people keep asking me if I'm going to play. I feel like it's not up to me. If they let me, I'm definitely going to play. I think it just depends on like the trade getting cleared and the other stuff.

- You have a lot of experience now kind of mentoring younger players playing with young teams and San Antonio. Precious and Koloko, what do you kind of know about their games, and how much are you looking forward to kind of mentoring those young bigs here?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, I know them from playing against them. So like I feel like I've only seen a small part of it. But yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to that. I feel like this is a young team that has a bunch of guys that are around my age, maybe a little bit older. But in general, it's still a pretty young team. So yeah. I think we can all help each other grow. Though they're already helping me out there, trying to understand the place and stuff like that a little bit better. And hopefully, I can help them with my experience a little bit as well.

- Thanks, everyone.

JAKOB POELTL: Thank you.