Fansided

Report: Norman Powell agrees to four-year extension with Raptors

By Ben Arthur

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 15: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against the Charlotte Hornets during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 15, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 15: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against the Charlotte Hornets during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 15, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Toronto Raptors have inked one of their key role players, Norman Powell, to a four-year extension worth $42 million.

The Toronto Raptors have made it clear they hope to remain competitive with the NBA’s upper-echelon long term. They secured All-Star DeMar DeRozan on a five-year extension last summer and Kyle Lowry for three more years last July.

Two-way guard Norman Powell, who had a breakout 2017 postseason, can now be added to the list.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Powell has agreed to a four-year, $42 million extension with the Raptors. The new deal kicks in at the start of the 2018-19 NBA season and includes a player option in the final year, per Woj.

Powell, the 46th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, comes into his third season with career averages of 7.3 points and 2.2 rebounds. Known primarily as a lockdown defender, the ex-UCLA standout boosted his scoring average to 8.4 last season from 5.6 in his rookie year. And he had another leap for Toronto in the 2017 playoffs, putting up 11.7 points per game and shooting 44 percent from 3-point range in 25 minutes over eight contests.

The announcement of the extension follows an impressive preseason debut from Powell last Sunday where he scored 16 points and showcased ridiculous bounce in a 121-113 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Hawaii.

Toronto would certainly love to see more thunderous slams from Powell come regular season time when it actually counts. But taking his scoring to another level for a potentially deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference this season would be appreciated even more.

Powell will be in contention for the starting small forward spot with C.J. Miles, who the Raptors acquired in free agency. On his fourth team, the 12-year veteran has career averages of 9.8 points and 2.5 rebounds.

Home/Toronto Raptors