Raptors' Ujiri: There's been 'a little bit of discussion' with Terrence Ross about extension

With Jonas Valanciunas now locked up with a reported four-year, $64-million extension, the Toronto Raptors can turn their focus to Terrence Ross.

Like Valanciunas, Ross will become a restricted free agent next summer if an extension isn't reached by Nov. 2. But Ross's situation is more complicated than that of Valanciunas, and finding a mutually beneficial agreement may not be as easy. Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri said Thursday that the two sides have at least opened up discussions about the potential for an extension.

"There's been a little bit of talk. We'll keep monitoring," Ujiri said, "and see how all those things (get) done. If anything happens. We've had a little bit of discussion."

Ujiri normally plays these matters close to the chest, so it's tough to draw much from his words or demeanor. Ross's camp figures to be looking for a deal that pays him based on his appreciable potential, but he has shown far less than Valanciunas over three years, and took a demonstrable step backward in 2014-15.

While he's knocked down 37.3 percent of his career 3-point attempts, the jury is still out on his defense, as well as his ability to create for himself and others. Ross, who underwent ankle surgery in May, may be best served playing out the season rather than negotiating a deal with his value at its nadir.

The 24-year-old averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 25.5 minutes last season, and figures to come off the bench behind DeMar DeRozan and the incoming DeMarre Carroll in 2015-16.