There’s a good chance that we have seen the last of All-Star guard Fred VanVleet in a Toronto Raptors uniform.
As expected, the lead guard has opted out of his contract for the 2023-24 season and will hit NBA free agency. VanVleet, 29, had a mere $22.82 million player option. It’s well below what his market will be once free agency opens next month.
A former undrafted free agent out of Wichita State, VanVleet has morphed into one of the better lead guards in the NBA. After averaging just 2.9 points as a rookie back in 2016-17, he has improved pretty much every season.
This past year saw VanVleet average 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists. However, he also shot just 39% from the field and 34% from three-point range. This likely won’t impact the type of market VanVleet receives once free agency opens. His ability to run an offense, score 20 points on a nightly basis and play solid defense will lead to a ton of interest.
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Where will Fred VanVleet land in NBA free agency?
The Philadelphia 76ers have been bandied about as a possibility should they lose James Harden in free agency. Interestingly enough, the Houston Rockets could also make a play for the guard. The idea would be to team him up with the aforementioned Harden should the former MVP opt to return to Houston.
These are the two teams we continue to hear a lot about. Though, a number of teams with cap space will likely get involved. That includes the Orlando Magic ($59.14 million), San Antonio Spurs ($43.60 million), Los Angeles Lakers ($29.57 million) and Dallas Mavericks ($21.23 million)
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There’s also a chance that a contending team approaches Toronto about a potential sign-and-trade. At this point, signs seem to be pointing in the direction of VanVleet leaving Canada. If so, the Raptors might want to get something for him.
In this scenario, the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers come up as real possibilities. Despite winning the Eastern Conference in stunning fashion, Miami is expected to be active in finding a running partner for Jimmy Butler. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will be in the market should Russell Westbrook leave in free agency.