Toronto has the potential to be a top-five defensive team this season with Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes, and guard Jamal Shead is a part of that.
Which is why the Raptors locked him up. Shead and Toronto have agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. This will keep Shead in Toronto through the summer of 2030 and is a good deal for both sides.
The winningest player in Houston Cougars history, Shead became a regular part of the Raptors rotation and averaged 6.6 points and 5.4 assists per game last season, playing in all 82 games at an average of 22 minutes a night. That play and his defense earned him some Sixth Man of the Year votes.
While Shead’s defense is elite, his shooting is not. He knocked down just 32.1% of his 3-pointers and 41.7% of his shots inside the arc last season.
Locking up Shead at this number gives the Raptors the chance now to figure out a new deal with wing RJ Barrett, who is entering the final year of his contract.
