DeRozan, Raptors agree to four-year extension
by Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo has long been enamored with guard DeMar DeRozan’s game.
That’s why Colangelo drafted him No. 9 in the 2009 draft, and that’s why, according to a person familiar with deal who requested anonymity, the Raptors and DeRozan reached an agreement on a four-year, $40 million deal that could reach $42 million with incentives.
The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal was official.
The deadline to reach extensions for players drafted in 2009 is midnight ET Thursday.
DeRozan has averaged 14.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in three seasons, but his field goal shooting percentage has decreased in each succeeding season – 49.8% to 46.7% to 42.2%. But Colangelo still likes DeRozan, his ability to get to the rim and his potential. The Raptors think he will improve as a shooter.
Colangelo has built a young core to go with DeRozan. Rookies Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross are on deals that could keep with the Raptors through at least 2015-16. Guard Landry Fields’ deal runs through 2014-15, and the Raptors have Andrea Bargnani, Kyle Lowery and Amir Johnson through next season with the ability to retain Linas Kleiza, Ed Davis and John Lucas III next season
Houston Rockets guard James Harden and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry signed extensions Wednesday, and Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson signed an extension Tuesday.
… [For more on DeMar DeRozan, Raptors agree to four-year extension, click here.]
Loading ...
