Cory Joseph signs four-year deal with Toronto Raptors

Cory Joseph is coming home.

The 23-year-old point guard from Pickering, Ont., has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $30 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, becoming the team's third free agent signing after DeMarre Caroll and Bismack Biyombo. All three players are known for their play on the defensive end as Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri has made it his top priority to put out an improved defensive team next season.

A late first round pick in 2011, Joseph has spent the past four seasons in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. Part of the Spurs' championship team in 2013-14, Joseph averaged career-highs in games played (79), minutes (18.3), points (6.8), assists (2.4), and rebounds (2.4) last season. He entered this offseason as a restricted free agent but after the Spurs signed LaMarcus Aldridge, they could no longer afford to keep Joseph due to salary cap constraints and withdrew their qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.

In Toronto he'll backup All-Star Kyle Lowry and have the opportunity to take on a bigger role than he had in San Antonio. Joseph will be the second Canadian-born player to suit up for the Raptors, joining Jamaal Magloire.

The signing cannot become official until July 9 when the NBA's free-agent moratorium ends.

- - - - - - -

Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr