The Rap Up: Three years and an extension later, is Terrence Ross what the Raptors need?

Three years after being selected with the 8th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Terrence Ross has shown flashes of greatness, but hasn't been a mainstay in the Raptors' starting lineup.

Ross got a chance to display his game as a starter in his sophomore year and last season, his third in the league, splitting time with James Johnson at small forward. While he showed improvement in his second year, he seemingly regressed last season and took another step back this year.

Fundamentally, Ross is as sound as it gets. Good-looking jumper, decent ball-handling skills, a quick first step, and the ability to get to the rim and finish with authority. But Ross has not been able to bring those assets to the table on a nightly basis, and his role in the Raptors offence depends on his overall form for the night. When he's on, he's on, as displayed by his franchise-record 51 points in 2013-14. But when he's off, he finishes games with 0 points on 10 shot attempts.

Watching Ross, he seems to have all the athletic ability and instincts you need for a slashing two-guard. But at times, Ross doesn't seem to play with high energy, and tends to go invisible during his stints on the court. Defensively, Ross isn't exactly an asset to the team either.

In early November, the deadline to extend players with rookie contracts loomed. Ross and the Raptors came to an agreement on a three-year, $31 million extension just minutes before the deadline. Since that extension, Ross has been underwhelming, averaging under 6 points per game on 35% shooting.

Looking back at the 2012 draft, Ross was sandwiched between Harrison Barnes, a starter on the defending champion Warriors, and Andre Drummond, the most talented rebounder the league has seen in a while, who's having a breakout season with the Pistons. With the production he's put up to date, Ross' value isn't where the team had hoped, yet he's shown flashes of brilliance that warranted the extension the Raptors gave him.

Ross has seen a decline in minutes with DeMarre Carroll manning the starting 3 spot, going from 25 minutes per game to a shade over 20 this season. Ross was expected to take on Lou Williams' role as an energetic scoring sixth man this season, but has been asked to fill in for Carroll with the newly-signed swingman's injury-riddled start to the season.

Toronto ranks near the bottom in the league in bench points, chipping in a measly 25.3 points per game. Only the Pistons get less out of their bench. The Raptors are also near the bottom of the league in three point percentage from their reserves, which doesn't bode well for the offensive system the team runs. Cory Joseph is regarded as the sixth man on the team, however, his role is to take pressure off of Kyle Lowry rather than bring a scoring punch. Ross is the designated scorer off the bench for the Raps, yet has been needed as a starter ever since Carroll went down earlier in December.

It may not be the only time the Raptors would need him to start.

Following this season, DeMar DeRozan has the choice to pick up or decline his player option on his current contract. The general feeling around the league is that he's going to opt out and test free agency unless the Raptors offer him close to a maximum extension. Ross' new deal allows the team to retain him in the event DeRozan signs elsewhere, and limit their losses at the two-guard spot.

Once again, Terrence Ross has been the fill-in for Carroll. In his last six games (all starts), he's chipped in a shade over 10 points per game, and shot the ball well in that span. However, his inconsistencies still exist, with his best performance being a season-high 22-point effort against the Lakers on 8-for-12 shooting. Contrarily, he's put together an abysmal performance against the Sixers, going scoreless on six shots.

Ross' versatility to play both wing spots is one of many reasons the Raptors decided to extend the fourth-year player from Washington. And while he hasn't fully developed to the rate of his peers in the 2012 draft, he also hasn't been asked to lead the franchise to the degree of a Damian Lillard or Andre Drummond. His fluidity and smoothness when attacking the basket or pulling up for a jump shot are an asset for the team, even though his lack of consistency can be hindering to the team. Ross still has potential to grow in the league, and has been subject to multiple role changes which could have contributed to his up and down performances.

The Raptors paid Ross for his upside, current role as a fill in starter/bench scorer, and as extra insurance in preparation for DeRozan's possible departure. And with the rise of the salary cap in the next few seasons, his $31 million contract will look like a bargain by the 2018-19 season, especially if his development in an increased role comes to fruition.