Raps give Powell four more years
Third-year guard joins team’s core with $42-million (U.S.) extension though 2021-22
HONOLULU— Norm Powell has fast become a favourite among Raptors fans because of his hell-bent style of play, always attacking the rim and playing with a consistent ferocity the people love.
Seems the team’s management does, too.
Taking one of their most promising young players off the market and likely saving themselves millions of dollars in the process, the Raptors locked up the 24-year-old Powell with a four-year, $42million (U.S.) contract extension that places a large measure of faith in the third-year guard.
Tying up Powell, who will have an option to terminate the deal after the third year — it kicks in after the 2017-18 season — is another endorsement of a core that team president Masai Ujiri has put together that includes Powell, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Serge Ibaka, C.J. Miles and Jonas Valanciunas.
Powell has emerged as an offensive force in two seasons with Toronto, more than willing to go hard to the basket whenever the chance presents itself. But having done it for parts of two seasons, he’s no longer a mystery to opponents and the next step in his evolution must be to become a more balanced player.
“He’s getting the respect of the league,” Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said this week. “Before I think he kind of caught a lot of people off guard driving in there and, all of a sudden, he gets there and there’s a welcoming committee there at the rim. Now he’s got to make a decision whether to finish it, pass it, pull up or whatever it is. Those are the tough decisions you have to make, especially when you attack the basket the way he does.”
There is no question Powell has prepared himself for an enhanced role with the Raptors this season. He said he worked out three times a day in the offseason to be prepared for more than the 18 minutes he averaged in 76 games (18 starts) last season.
It’s unclear whether he and C.J. Miles will start, but there’s no question that each will play a lot.
“I think with the absence of Cory (Joseph, traded) and DeMarre (Carroll, traded), the minutes are going to be there, whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, it’s about being productive in those minutes,” Powell said earlier in camp.
“That’s what’s so great about this team, we have so many versatile guys that we have to throw out there and mix it up throughout the season. So I know the minutes are going to be there and I’ve prepared myself for that, to play the full season. I’m ready for it. I’m ready for the increased minutes, I’m ready for the increased role.”
Had he not agreed to the extension, Powell would have become a restricted free agent next summer. While the Raptors would have had the chance to match any offer he got, there were certainly visions of Bis- mack Biyombo’s $72-million deal in similar circumstances dancing in the head of Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster.
An annual average salary of $13 million is certainly not out of whack for a player of Powell’s age and talent, and giving him a player option on the final year was a small price for Ujiri and Webster to pay.
There should be no expectation that Powell will somehow change now that he’s got lifetime financial security. Having clawed himself to this spot from being the 46th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, his work ethic likely won’t recede.
“Whether I’m starting or I’m bringing the energy off the bench, that’s what I’m going to do,” he said. “So, honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m not going to be upset if I don’t start and I’m not going to be overjoyed if I do get the starting spot. I’m going to be focused on helping the team win and preparing myself day in and day out to get as many wins as possible and get back to the post-season.”