The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have exercised the fourth-year team options on the Rookie Scale Contracts of centre Jonas Valanciunas and forward-guard Terrence Ross. The contracts for Valanciunas and Ross are now guaranteed through the 2015-16 season. In accordance with the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Raptors had until October 31 to exercise their option on both players. Per team policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Valanciunas, seven-foot, 255 pounds, joined the Raptors after being selected fifth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and spending the 2011-12 season playing overseas. Valanciunas has averaged 10.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 26.3 minutes in 143 contests (138 starts) in his two seasons with the Raptors.
In 2013-14, Valanciunas averaged 11.3 points, a team-leading 8.8 rebounds and 28.2 minutes in 81 games, all starts. He paced the club in rebounds (714), offensive rebounds (226) and double-doubles (26).
Ross, 6-foot-7, 197 pounds was selected eighth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Raptors. He has posted averages of 8.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 22.1 minutes in 154 games in his two campaigns with Toronto.
Last season, Ross averaged 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 26.7 minutes in 73 contests. He moved into the starting lineup December 10 and started 62 of the team’s final 63 games. He erupted for 51 points January 25 versus the Los Angeles Clippers to tie Vince Carter’s franchise record.
Ross was a member of the East Team that won the 2014 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans and he captured the 2013 Sprite Slam Dunk crown during All-Star Saturday Night in Houston.