Jason Burgos
Many Toronto Raptors fans are disappointed that Fred VanVleet took a huge bag of money to go to the Houston Rockets, and the franchise’s most famous fan showed his frustration with the move by taking a funny jab at the star point guard’s new team.
On night one of NBA free agency, several big names like Kyrie Irving and Draymond Green agreed to sizable deals to stick with their current teams for a few more seasons. However, it was Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet that stole the headlines last week.
Related: Toronto Raptors land Fred VanVleet replacement with confusing $26 million deal
The Houston Rockets gave the one-time All-Star a massive three-year, $130 million max deal that was by far the most lucrative deal handed out over the last few days — on a per-year basis. It was a stunning amount for a player that is without a doubt an impact talent, but not the sort of franchise changer that he is being compensated to be.
Toronto Raptors record (’22-’23): 41-41
Fred VanVleet was one of the last players from the Toronto Raptors 2019 title team that was still on the roster and it was part of the reason why he held a special place in the hearts of Raptors fans. That and his story of becoming a top talent after joining the franchise as an undrafted free agent in 2016. It is understandable if some Toronto fans are hurt by his departure since the organization did try to re-sign him.
On Sunday, the Raptors’ most famous fan, hip-hop superstar Drake, showed his disappointment — as well as his appreciation — in a hilarious way in an Instagram comment on VanVleet’s goodbye post to Toronto. While noting the love he has for the guard and thanking him for his contributions to the franchise, Drake also took a jab at the new member of the Rockets by saying, “Good luck with everything on the Guangdong Dragons … I mean the Rockets.”
What makes it even funnier is that there is not an actual Guangdong Dragons, however, the Guangdong Southern Tigers are a franchise in the Chinese Basketball Association. Close enough, in the case of Drake’s shot at a Houston Rockets franchise that has been a lottery team over the last three seasons.
