Heading into the 2016-17 season, Lucas Nogueira was projected as the main backup center behind starter Jonas Valanciunas. Unfortunately, Nogueira has not played in a game yet due to his sprained left ankle, and he may be dropped to third on the center depth chart whenever he is cleared to rejoin the active roster.
“This is, what, nine days now? He tried it [Sunday], just couldn’t go. I don’t know exactly when he’s going to come back,” Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey tells the Toronto Star.
With Nogueira unavailable for game action, rookie Jakob Poeltl has been given the role as the main backup center and in three games he's averaging 3.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. Poeltl has impressed Casey enough that Nogueira will have to fight to get his spot back.
"[Nogueira’s] going to have to get past him right now as far as playing, because Jakob is doing an excellent job,” Casey said. “And he fits in to what we need to do."
Nogueira, starting his third NBA season, made 29 appearances in 2015-16 and averaged 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds.
--- Nick Silva
