DeMar DeRozan Reportedly Agrees to 4-Year, $40 Million Extension with Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have reportedly locked up DeMar DeRozan and the shooting guard will sign a four-year extension with the team.

Marc J. Spears, an NBA writer for Yahoo! Sports, shared the details of the new contract via Twitter:

"

Toronto completed a contract extension with DeMar Derozan, source told Y! Sports. @wojyahoonba previously reported a possible 4yr, $40m deal

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) October 31, 2012"

The 23-year-old scorer has been a significant part of the Raptors offense, and along with Andrea Bargnani has led the team’s scoring effort over the past two seasons.

The Raptors took DeRozan ninth overall out of USC in the 2009 draft. His playing time increased in his second season and his production dramatically rose as he averaged 17.2 points per game. 

DeRozan followed that campaign with another productive year, averaging 16.7 in his most recent campaign. He is one of the most athletic guards in the league and is capable of exploding towards the rim like few other players.

While he has been a potent scorer, he has failed to establish himself as an efficient shooter, hitting just 42.2 percent of his field goals and 26.1 percent of his three-point attempts in 2011-12.

He has also gained the reputation as a selfish player and averaged just two assists per game last year.

Toronto will be hoping for improvement this season after finishing 23-43 and missing out on the postseason. The team has brought in Landry Fields and Kyle Lowry and will still look for a strong offensive output from DeRozan.

His elite athleticism makes him a valuable player, but he still has to work on shot selection and decision-making with the ball. 

DeRozan is one of Toronto’s most talented players, and the team has now ensured that if he does reach his potential, he will do so in a Raptors uniform.