Toronto Raptors Plan to Offer Rudy Gay Contract Extension

Feb 22, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors forward Rudy Gay (22) at center court during their game against the New York Knicks at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Knicks 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite Rudy Gay’s return to Earth after a brilliant start to his stint as a member of the Toronto Raptors, the team is interested in keeping the forward past his current contract. Gay is set is to earn $17.9 million next season, with a player option the following year worth $19.3 million.

However, the Raptors appear ready to commit to Gay for the long-term and they will consider offering him a contract extension this summer.

Per Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports:

"The struggling Raptors appear to believe in Gay. General manager Bryan Colangelo already views him as the face of the franchise, and a source said he will likely offer a contract extension in the offseason. Toronto is in need of star power since the departure of Chris Bosh and the demise of Andrea Bargnani, the former No. 1 draft pick. Attempts will be made to move Bargnani this summer for a proven scoring post player, sources said.“I needed a change,” Gay said of the trade. “I needed a new situation. A new task. I needed a new task with something I could grasp, something I could take over. I need to be challenged. I was challenged in Memphis, but it was tug of war at times. Here I’m being challenged and they’re seeing what I’m made of.”"

It is a puzzling move for the Raptors, but if they feel comfortable with Gay’s production for the salary that he will demand it is a move they should go ahead and make.