The Toronto Raptors might not be finished with handing out contracts this summer.
Note: This week’s episode of ‘Raptors Weekly’ was cancelled due to a personal matter. We apologize for the inconvenience.
General manager Masai Ujiri spoke to the media after inking Jonas Valanciunas to a $64-million extension last week, and dropped a hint that he’s also looking to extend (gulp) Terrence Ross.
“There’s been a little bit of talk. We’ll keep monitoring,” Ujiri said, “and see how all those things (get) done. If anything happens. We’ve had a little bit of discussion.”
After toiling in his development last season, Ross is not a popular figure within the Raptors’ fanbase. The idea that Ross might be retained for the long haul is not a pleasant thought.
However, if Ujiri can manage to lock Ross into a reasonable figure, an extension might not be such a terrible idea.
Ross’s price will never be lower. He’s coming off a down year, he’s season away from free agency and he’s about to take a big cut in terms of minutes, shots and responsibilities after the Raptors signed DeMarre Carroll. Even with the salary cap set to explode, the conditions are not primed for Ross to post a breakout season.
Therefore, an opportunity might be there to tie Ross to a lower figure. Something like three years, $20 million (third year team option or partial guarantee) should hold intrigue for both parties.
For the Raptors, nabbing Ross for the long run seems counter intuitive. Why lock up someone who necessitated a $60 million upgrade? Ross has his moments, no doubt, but he’s shown to be a frustrating enigma across his three seasons in the league.
Sometimes, Ross looks the part of the ideal 3-and-D player. His shooting stroke is beautiful and he’s an excellent catch-and-shoot player. When he puts his mind to it, Ross can also be a shutdown wing stopper, especially against point guards and shooting guards, as he’s quick on his feet and athletic enough to recover when he gets beat. He lacks consistency to a maddening degree, but the thought is always there: “Ross could really flourish if he played for the right coach with the right system.”
That’s what an extension would represent: a gamble. A roll of the dice that maybe, just maybe, Ross’s talent can translate to something more consistent, something more productive and something more useful. As of right now, Ross is pretty limited. He wouldn’t be worth that kind of money. His 3-point shooting is valuable and there’s his upside. But even in an escalating cap environment, that’s not worth garnering guaranteed long-term money, unless he breaks out. It’s the price to pay for waiting just a little longer on Ross.
On the flip side, Ross could be enticed by the security of guaranteed money in the coming years. As mentioned earlier, Ross’s opportunities are shrinking and he’s slated to become a free agent at the wrong time. Granted, much of that is his own fault — he was given plenty of chances to prove himself — but still, he has to play the hand he’s dealt, and he has a tough decision to make.
Can Ross afford to bet on himself, or does taking less money make sense?
Gambling on himself might not be such a bad idea. This summer, equally inconsistent players like Jae Crowder and Iman Shumpert both got five and four year deals, worth over $7 million per season. Shumpert and Crowder are much better defenders, but Ross fits the same mold and he’s a premier 3-point shooter. It’s not totally implausible that some team will pony up similar money for Ross if he has a strong season.
There’s value to be couped for both Ross and the Raptors in this finicky business of negotiating an extension. There’s likely a middle ground to be found between security for Ross and value for the Raptors. The two sides will have until Oct. 31 to find it.
