Trayce Jackson-Davis turned a season-high 20 minutes into the kind of line that gets noticed. In Toronto's 129-99 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, he finished with six points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, giving the Toronto Raptors a deeper look at another center option.
That mattered because Toronto is still sorting out its center rotation, and Jackson-Davis did it in real game pressure rather than in a practice setting. His 11 rebounds led the team, and his two blocks were also a season high, the kind of production that can change how a coach views a reserve big.
Darko Rajakovic said Thursday that Jackson-Davis had a great summer and pointed to the work behind the numbers, saying he had really improved conditioning, motor and energy. That praise matters because Jackson-Davis had been waiting for a chance to contribute in a larger role during Toronto's opening stretch, and this was his clearest case yet for more than a spot appearance.
The coach did not go as far as promising a shift. When asked about Toronto's rotations, Rajakovic said everything is on the table, which leaves Jackson-Davis in the mix but does not hand him anything. Jakob Poeltl played 10 minutes against Orlando before foul trouble cut his night short, and Collin Murray-Boyles picked up five fouls in just over 14 minutes, so the next decision at center may come down to who stays available rather than who fits best on paper.
For now, Jackson-Davis has done the part he can control. He produced, he stayed active, and he gave Toronto a reason to keep looking his way the next time the rotation needs help inside.
