DeMar DeRozan to re-sign with Toronto Raptors on 5-year contract

Sam Amick

USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) tries to defend during the first quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.

DeMar DeRozan is staying north of the border.

Just hours after the NBA’s free agency period formally began, the Toronto Raptors All-Star decided to re-sign on a five-year deal.

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the deal is approximately worth $145 million. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the fluid nature of the situation.

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While a maximum salary deal for DeRozan would have been worth a combined $153 million, the 26-year-old All-Star made it clear to the Raptors that he might be willing to take less if it helped their cause on other free agency fronts. Whether it was retaining center Bismack Biyombo or finding new talent to add to the team that challenged the eventual champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, DeRozan wanted to assist.

The Raptors’ ability to get an early commitment kept him from heading out into the open market. DeRozan averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and four assists last season.

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