‘Today is a special day for the Raptors organization,’ Masai Ujiri said.
The Toronto Raptors unveiled a new slogan: The “future starts now” as all-star face of the franchise Scottie Barnes and “point guard of the future” Immanuel Quickley officially signed lucrative new contracts with the team on Monday morning.
Barnes signed a max extension worth a minimum of $225 million U.S. that could rise if he earns certain NBA honours. Quickley inked a deal worth $175 million.
Team vice chairman/president Masai Ujiri joined the players in downtown Toronto at a media conference attended by MLSE staffers, family members and agents, the media and Raptors players Gradey Dick, Davion Mitchell, Bruce Brown and Ochai Agbaji.
Barnes averaged career highs in points (19.9), rebounds (8.2), assists (6.1), blocks (1.5) and steals (1.3) in 60 games last season and made his first All-Star appearance, becoming the youngest Raptor since Chris Bosh in 2006 to earn the honour.
“Today is a special day for the Raptors organization. We are so proud of Scottie for the player and leader he has become over his first three seasons,” Ujiri said in a release. “I’ve said before that he is the type of player you build a team around. Well, we are doing that. “Scottie’s love for Toronto and Canada is unbelievable, and his commitment in our shared vision to win another championship is incredible. Together, our future starts here. It starts now.”
Quickley averaged 17.0 points, 4.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 29.2 minutes in 68 games (38 starts) with New York and Toronto last season. He was acquired along with RJ Barrett in a blockbuster deal centred around OG Anunoby.
“Immanuel embodies so many things that are important to our team. He’s incredible – smart, athletic, driven. He works so hard. He loves the game of basketball. And ultimately? He wants to win and he will be a Raptor for years to come,” Ujiri said in a release. “We are very high on I.Q. — our point guard of the future.”