Is Toronto taking a risk with Terrence Ross?

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The contract extension deadline for 2012 Draft class members was last night, November 3rd at midnight (EST). While talks with Harrison Barnes have ended and saved for the offseason for the Warriors, the player drafted one spot after him will be staying with his team for a few more seasons.

Terrence Ross, the 8th overall selection by the Toronto Raptors in the 2012 NBA Draft, has agreed to a three-year, $33 million extension, as first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The extension will start in the 2016-2017 once his rookie year deal is over.

This is the second contracts extension Toronto has done this season with Jonas Valanciunas (#17) being the first. What does this mean for DeMar DeRozen (#10)?
This is the second contract extension Toronto has finalized this season with Jonas Valanciunas (#17) being the first. What does this mean for DeMar DeRozan (#10)?

Currently Ross is listed as the team’s sixth man playing behind All-Star DeMar DeRozan and DeMarre Carroll. DeRozan is set to become a free agent in 2016, so this extension is seen as insurance if DeRozan decides to walk. If he stays, then Ross will be sticking with the sixth man spot if he stays consistent.

Ross, 24, has the athleticism to be a great player for this up and coming Raptors squad, but at times has been inconsistent. Last season he started 61 games and averaged 9.8 points per game. In three games so far this year, he has averaged a career-high 12.3 points while also shooting 46.2 % from downtown. 

There is some risk-reward in this situation. Let’s start with the reward. If Terrence Ross continues to play like he has been or better, the team does not have to worry about losing him in free agency and they have a solid role player (or starter depending on DeRozan’s future) for the future. The risk? It’s early in the season and we have seen Ross more times inconsistent on both sides of the ball, so if his production lowers, he takes away a chunk of the salary cap and teams will not want to trade for him. 

After signing Valanciunas and Ross to extensions, it is clear that management wants both to be part of the future for this young Raptors team, including Kyle Lowry and DeMarre Carroll. Next up for Toronto is re-signing DeRozan. 

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