While the Toronto Raptors’ transition into a new era showed flashes of brilliance this season—culminating in a hard-fought playoff return—the evaluation process has begun. As the front office looks to build around the core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram, several rotation mainstays saw their stock plummet during the 2025-26 campaign.
For a team aiming to jump from “scrappy underdog” to “Eastern Conference contender,” these three players left more questions than answers.
1. Gradey Dick: The Sophomore Slump That Won’t End
Perhaps the most alarming development of the season was the rapid descent of Gradey Dick. After a promising rookie year where he looked like the floor-spacer of the future, Dick’s second full season was defined by a loss of both minutes and confidence.
- The Scoring Crater: Dick’s average plummeted from 14.4 points to a mere 6.1 per game.
- Cold From Deep: His primary weapon—the three-pointer—fell to just over 30%, well below the league average.
- The Rotation Wall: The introduction of Brandon Ingram and the emergence of Ja’Kobe Walter effectively locked Dick out of meaningful minutes. By the playoffs, he was an afterthought, appearing in only three games for a total of four minutes.
With one guaranteed year left on his contract at $7.1 million, rumors are swirling that Dick and the Raptors may be heading for a mutual divorce this summer to clear cap space for more versatile depth.
2. Jakob Poeltl: The $100 Million Playoff Disappearing Act
Jakob Poeltl’s season was a tale of two halves. A lingering back injury sidelined the veteran center for much of the early schedule, and while he found his rhythm in the regular season (shooting a staggering 70% from the field), he failed to deliver when the lights were brightest.
In the first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Poeltl’s impact evaporated. He averaged only 19.1 minutes per game in the postseason, nearly six minutes less than his regular-season average. A low point came in Game 2, where a two-point, four-rebound performance led to him being benched in favor of rookie Collin Murray-Boyles.
With a contract that runs through 2029-30 and total earnings projected to exceed $100 million, Poeltl’s lack of playoff reliability has turned a “steady veteran” deal into one of the team’s most difficult financial hurdles.
3. Jonathan Mogbo: Hits the Sophomore Wall
Jonathan Mogbo entered his second season with significant momentum, but his development hit a roadblock that exposed his one-dimensional nature. While Mogbo remains an elite energy player, his offensive limitations became a liability for a Raptors team that desperately needed spacing.
- Spacing Issues: Without a reliable jump shot, opposing defenses routinely “sagged” off Mogbo, clogging the lanes for Barnes and Barrett.
- Minutes Drop: After averaging over 20 minutes as a rookie, Mogbo’s playing time cratered to just over six minutes per game.
The Raptors sent him to the G League for developmental reps, but for a player the team hoped would be a long-term defensive anchor, the regression was a sobering reality check.
What’s Next for Toronto?
The Raptors exit the 2026 season with a solid foundation but a clear need to address the “middle” of their roster. Whether through aggressive trades involving Dick or moving off veteran salary, the front office has proven it won’t hesitate to move on from those who can’t keep pace with the Scottie Barnes timeline.
RAPTORS OFFSEASON WATCH
- Top Trade Target: Gradey Dick
- Contract Concern: Jakob Poeltl ($19.5M Player Option)
- Focus Area: Floor spacing and frontcourt consistency.
