The Toronto Raptors just signed Jonas Valanciunas to a contract extension so now they can focus on a potential extension with Terrence Ross. General Manager Masai Ujiri reportedly said that there have been some talks with Ross about a potential extension, according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, but he didn't seem too confident anything would get done.
Ross and Valanciunas are the two Raptors who are eligible for extensions as they are both entering the final year of their rookie scale contracts. Valanciunas' deal was more important to the Raptors as the 22 year old is a solid center already and has a lot of room to improve. The question for Ross is how much the Raptors really value him.
Ross started 61 games for Toronto a season ago but during this past offseason the Raptors went out and signed DeMarre Carroll to a free agent deal which will push Ross to a bench role. The signing of Carroll couldn't have been a good sign for Ross as he is basically being replaced by a better player. It is possible that the Raptors view Ross as someone with immense potential and a key weapon off the bench but at this point it seems more likely that an extension isn't forthcoming.
Ross was the Raptors first round pick (8th overall) in the 2012 NBA Draft and has been a solid player for them. Ross had his best year two seasons ago and took a minor step back last season when he averaged 9.8 points in more than 25 minutes per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 37 percent from three.
Ross is scheduled to make slightly more than $3.5 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal. After this year the Raptors can give him a qualifying offer and make him a restricted free agent but right now Ross probably wants a longer term extension. Ross is 24 years old and has a very high ceiling but to this point he hasn't really reached that ceiling as shown by his career 11.3 PER. If an extension isn't done this offseason Ross will be entering a huge year for him personally where he has to prove he is worth a long-term investment from the Raptors. Ross will more than likely be coming off the bench in this upcoming season but he should get more than enough minutes to show what he's worth.
