Fred VanVleet has officially entered the free agent market. According to ESPN’s Adrain Wojnarowski, VanVleet turned down his $22.8 million player option with the Toronto Raptors on Monday afternoon, thus making the 2022 all-star an unrestricted free agent.
ESPN Sources: In the first major domino of free agency, Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Fred VanVleet has declined his $22.8 million player option and will become an unrestricted free agent in July. pic.twitter.com/bVrve81XgZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2023
NBA Rumors: Potential Landing Spots For Fred VanVleet After Declining Player Option
It is not a surprise that VanVleet decided to become a free agent. He was expected to decline the option since Chicago eliminated Toronto from the play-in tournament. And it seemed more of a sure thing when the Raptors fired Nick Nurse.
VanVleet and the Raptors are coming off a disappointing 2022-23 campaign. While the 29-year-old struggled shooting the ball, he still averaged 19.3 points and a career-high 7.2 dimes a game. VanVleet knocked down three treys a game last year. He also ranked in the top 10 in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Toronto is in a little bit of a flux as they are in NBA purgatory. The Raptors finished with a 41-41 record, its fewest regular-season victories during an 82-game schedule since 2012-13. The Raptors recently gave former Memphis assistant Darko Rajakovic his first head coaching job.
Gary Trent Jr. is expected to follow VanVleet’s lead and decline his $18.5 million player option. Jakob Poeltl (UFA), Dalano Blanton (RFA), and Will Barton (UFA) are also free agents. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby have been rumored to be trade candidates. Toronto owns VanVleet’s and Poeltl’s Bird rights.
Still, Wojnarowski said that sources told him that VanVleet, who became one of the most prominent guards on the open market, hasn’t ruled out negotiating a new deal and a Raptors return. According to the sources, he is one of the most prominent guards on the open market and an immediate target of teams with cap space and several contenders who’d welcome discussions on sign-and-trade scenarios with Toronto.
Teams Who Could Pursue VanVleet
VanVleet is eligible for an extension, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks adds, but the Raptors can only offer $114MM over four years under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
VanVleet is still extension eligible but because the new CBA does not start until 7/1, Toronto can only offer him a 4 year/$114M extension (year 1= $25.5M)
Under the new rules, that number would have increased to $133M (year 1= $29.8M) https://t.co/FQgxawl2fH
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 12, 2023
The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, and Minnesota Timberwolves were among at least eight teams that showed interest in acquiring VanVleet at the trade deadline. The other teams identified were the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards. Who will be interested in the 6-1 point guard this time?
VanVleet projects to earn as much as $40.2 million on the open market this upcoming season.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers might be in the market for a point guard after D’Angelo Russell’s disastrous Western Conference performance. At least, that is what The Athletic’s Shams Charania believes. The Lakers also have been linked to Chris Paul.
“So they have to really build the roster out this offseason. Point guard position, D’Angelo Russell was benched. He’s on a max contract. He was benched the last game of the season in the playoffs, in Game 4. What do they do at that position? I think they’ll be aggressive potentially when looking at that position. Kyrie Irving’s out there. Fred VanVleet. When you look at the market place this upcoming offseason, I think Kyrie Irving and Fred VanVleet have to be at the top of the list. I’m not saying either are likely for the Lakers, but I think if you’re the Lakers, you have to look at both of those guys and see if there are any options you can exhaust.”
Here is the thing: the Lakers will likely be over the luxury tax if they re-sign restricted free agents Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. So, they can only bring on VanVleet via a sign-and-trade that includes Russell. Do the Raptors want Russell becomes the first question.
The Athletic’s Jova Buha echoed this sentiment on Wednesday.
“My read on the situation is that the Lakers would prefer to use D’Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade, but I’m not sure the market is there. Landing Kyrie Irving for Russell is shaping up to be a pipe dream, especially with Dallas unlikely to help Los Angeles out. Fred VanVleet, a Klutch client, looms as a possibility, but adding him would require Toronto to agree to terms with Russell.”
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets reportedly were interested in re-directing Spencer Dinwiddie to Toronto and future draft picks in exchange for VanVleet as part of the Irving trade to Dallas. While that didn’t work out at the trade deadline, the Nets and Raptors may reconnect.
Orlando Magic
While the Magic could use a point guard and have cap space, it is believed they are committed to continuing to develop Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs as lead guards. Orlando is reportedly looking to add “shooters” this offseason and is more inclined to pursue Trent Jr.
But if Orlando pivots, The Magic have exciting prospects and future draft picks to offer Toronto. Franz Wagner, Bol Bol, and Wendell Carter Jr. could be part of a trade package. Orlando also owns the No. 6 and 11 picks this year and is a first-round choice in each year from 2024-29.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls don’t have the necessary cap space to sign VanVleet as a free agent though they have been rumored to be interested in heading in a “new direction.” Plus, Lonzo Ball is still on the roster. So, a trade involving Ball and others is the only way VanVleet lands back in his home state.
Portland Trail Blazers
Not sure of the fit here unless Damian Lillard is moved. The Trail Blazers have been dangling the No. 3 overall pick and Anferenee Simons in trades for veteran help.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are an enticing option, with their cap space, and have been rumored to be interested in adding veterans to their young core. They have been consistently linked to James Harden. Houston is also a possible destination for Paul. A Harden-VanVleet combo would make a dynamic offensive backcourt, while A Paul-VanVleet combo wouldn’t be a bad alternative. Perhaps, the Rockets can secure all three.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have the cap space and draft capital to acquire VanVleet. However, they have traded most of their veterans over the last few seasons. So, unless Victor Wembeyama is true to the hype right away, then the Spurs should stay the course.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been linked to Paul, and he makes much more sense, given the Clips’ salary situation. The only way Los Angeles acquires VanVleet is via a trade. However, LA does not have much draft capital and probably not much in terms of assets that excite the Raptors.
Philadelphia 76ers
The reality of VanVleet following Nurse to Philly depends on what Harden does. Harden is reportedly deciding between the Sixers and the Rockets.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota could be an extremely dangerous team if they can add VanVleet. Mike Conley and Jordan McLaughlin are the only two point guards on the Wolves roster. Conley is on an expiring contract with about $14 million of the $24 million he is owed guaranteed. None of McLaughlin’s $2.32 million on his contract is guaranteed.
Miami Heat
Miami’s surprising NBA title run ended last night as Denver took four of the five games. The Heat really missed the injured Tyler Herro in the series. But their biggest need in the future is at point guard, with Max Strus and Gabe Vincent being free agents. Maybe the Raptors would be willing to take back Kyle Lowry‘s expiring contract as part of the deal.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns still haven’t decided exactly what they are doing with Paul. But if Paul departs, the Suns will need someone to replace him. But unless Phoenix trades Deandre Ayton, VanVleet’s incoming salary puts them in the same situation as with Paul.
Washington Wizards
Washington could be moving in a new direction. Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma have decisions to make on their player options, and there is a possibility they trade Bradley Beal. VanVleet would be a perfect replacement/alternative if the above situations occur.
