TORONTO — There was no doubt in Jonas Valanciunas‘s mind that he’d re-sign with the Toronto Raptors.
The seven-foot, 270-pound Lithuanian centre and the Raptors announced a multi-year contract extension on Thursday worth a reported US$64 million. Valanciunas tweeted that the deal was for four years.
"I love Toronto. I love to play here," said Valanciunas outside of the Raptors’ locker-room at Air Canada Centre. "It’s my second home. They treat me like I’m from here."
Valanciunas was selected fifth overall by the Raptors in the 2011 NBA draft by then-general manager Bryan Colangelo. Although drafted by his predecessor, the faith current GM Masai Ujiri has placed in him is one of the reasons why Valanciunas was happy to stay in Toronto.
"That’s why we’re doing the deal, because I feel the trust in me," said Valanciunas. "I just want to say thank you to the whole organization for placing their trust in me. I’m ready to go out and compete on the court.
"Now it’s my time to go out and do something."
Valanciunas averaged a career-high 12.0 points last season, with team highs of 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He averaged 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in four playoff games. Valanciunas finished second in the NBA with a .572 field goal percentage.
At 23 years old, Valanciunas has a lot of upside, something that Ujiri wanted to invest in.
"We feel he’s made progress," said Ujiri. "He’s a great kid. Loves the city, loves the fans, loves everything about Toronto and that’s what we want to embrace here.
"He showed us a lot on the basketball court and we think he’ll get better."
Valanciunas has has averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 26.3 minutes over three seasons with the Raptors and shown steady progress in his play.
"I’m looking forward to getting better, to be a better player," said Valanciunas. "Now everything is in the right places. Now we just gotta bring it to the court and do our job. I want to win, I’m going to do everything to be successful."
He told reporters that he has spent the summer working on his shooting and physicality with a strength and conditioning program. He also on Lithuania’s national team as it tries to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"I’ve got to get better defensively," said Valanciunas, who said he is also rooting for Canada to qualify for the Games. "I think national team is going to help me prepare for the season. It’s actually good preparation.
"I’m going to come back to Toronto in September ready."
This contract extention is just the latest move Toronto has made in its off-season. The Raptors also signed free agent forwards DeMarre Carroll, Bismack Biyombo, Luis Scola and Canadian guard Cory Joseph.
"I know they’re going to make us better," said Valanciunas of the additions. "It’s going to be a step forward for us. Now we’ve just got to prove it. Prove that we can be a great team."
Ujiri said he is in negotiations with guard-forward Terrence Ross, who is entering the last season of his current contract. Ross averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and one assist per game in 2014-15.
