5:34pm: Anunoby’s extension is now official, the Raptors announced in a press release.
“OG is the epitome of the skilled, powerful, determined player we want in our organization long-term. Remember, he doesn’t shoot to miss,” general manager Bobby Webster said in a statement. “We’re really pleased that OG will be with us for seasons to come.”
4:52pm: The Raptors have agreed to sign forward OG Anunoby to a four-year contract extension worth $72MM, agent Omar Wilkes tells Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
The final year of Anunoby’s new deal will feature a player option, Wojnarowski adds. According to Blake Murphy of The Athletic (Twitter link), the extension is structured to increase by the maximum 8% annually to allow Toronto to maximize its 2021 cap room. It won’t include any bonuses or a trade kicker, Murphy adds (via Twitter).
While the extension will cut into the Raptors’ projected cap space to some extent, the difference in minimal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who notes (via Twitter) that Anunoby would have had a $11.7MM cap hold as a restricted free agent. Instead, he’ll have a starting salary of $16.1MM, reducing Toronto’s space by just over $4MM.
The Raptors have now locked up three key young pieces for the next several seasons. Pascal Siakam‘s extension kicks in this season and keeps him under contract through 2023/24. Fred VanVleet was re-signed this offseason for four more years, with the last one including a player option.
Anunoby’s extension could turn out to be a bargain if he continues to improve, and the Raptors will still have cap flexibility next summer, as Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports notes (Twitter link).
Anunoby averaged a career-best 10.6 PPG and 5.3 RPG in 29.9 MPG as a starter last season. He’s also considered a defensive stalwart and averaged 1.4 SPG.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Wait…did he just get paid less than Isaac?
That’s a great deal for the Raptors, after the other contract extensions. OG has huge Potential. Masai Ujiri knows his stuff.
Good deal for OG…
Predict a better deal for TOR than Anunoby. Right now it seems an overpay because he is not dynamic and has modest offensive stats, but I agree with what Webster said for the PR blurb in the update.
Really?? OG is very versatile he can play 3-5 and he is developing very well under nurse.
I agree. Good for the team in the long run.
Webster was being descriptive not just general and said:
“… skilled, powerful, determined… doesn’t shoot to miss”.
I like his stride, balance, engagement, and team orientation.
Lol “engagement, and team orientation”. I’m calling bs on you having ever watched the kid lol. Quiet guy who doesn’t talk much and does his job.
Not wrong.
I see statistically OG did not have a significantly better playoffs than Siakam did, except for rebounds and 3pt%, but my impression was that Siakam hit a wall and became disengaged, but OG did not, so I like that word for it. Because he tends to be passive, I avoided saying something active or emotional.
After OG disappeared vs Lebron in the ’18 playoffs I chuckled when everyone said what a fine rookie. But now I think it’s time to for the Raps to reassess who they should try to feature.
As you say, I don’t watch them usually. But logically, going to OG more often is the best way to find the team improvement that makes up for slippage elsewhere. I assume he can do more by using his legs for separation like Siakam uses his reach. The Raps being disciplined, should be able to will who to go to.
Compared to some of the other extensions handed out tonight this a good deal.
About right. Good deal for both sides. He hasn’t produced to this level, but he hasn’t played as much as most 3 year players. Before his college injury, he was a likely top 10 pick. Not signing him + a breakout year (certainly possible) and the price could go way up.
Very good deal for the Raptors. Yeah his offensive stats don’t jump off the page, but he’s been on a steady upward trajectory and at 23 years old he still has plenty more untapped potential. Add in that he’s arguably already an All-NBA level defender…yeah this deal could end up being a steal for the team.