The Philadelphia 76ers finally decided on their head coach, hiring ex-Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse on Memorial Day. One interesting reaction to the news was made by Nurse’s former point guard Fred VanVleet.
— Fred VanVleet (@FredVanVleet) May 29, 2023
NBA Draft Rumors: Insiders Name Several Fred VanVleet Potential Trade Destinations
VanVleet has a player option that he is expected to decline. While there wasn’t any fire to the 29-year-old point guard heading to Philadelphia initially. Rumors may come rolling in shortly, especially if James Harden departs. Harden has said he will opt out and seek a long-term deal and is linked to the Houston Rockets.
Philadelphia likely will need to add a guard. If Harden opts out and Shake Milton becomes an unrestricted free agent, that leaves the Sixers with only four guards on their roster. Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Jaden Springer, and Furkan Korkmaz are guards under contract.
VanVleet is coming off a lousy shooting campaign. But, the 6-1 guard averaged 19.5 points on 39.3% from the field and a career-low 34.3% from the 3-point line. He added 4.3 rebounds and a career-high 7.3 assists. His assist/turnover ratio 3.5-to-1 ratio was impressive, while he tied his career-high with ten double-doubles.
The problem with VanVleet ending up in Philadelphia is the 76ers don’t have the cap room. The Sixers will save $37 million with Harden opting out. Even without Harden, the Sixers are near the salary cap limits with nine players in the fold.
VanVleet projects to command at least $20 million annually in a new deal, although the end number could be closer to $30 million. So, the Sixers will likely need to work out a sign-and-trade to make any deal work.
Fred VanVleet is a Supporter of Nurse
VanVleet went undrafted out of Wichita State but made the Raptors roster and appeared in 37 games. However, he didn’t start to take off until Nurse was hired before the 2018 season.
VanVleet has improved some aspects of his game each year under Nurse. VanVleet has produced at least 17 points, three rebounds, six assists, and one steal in each of the last four seasons. He also has become one of the best 3-point shooters under Nurse’s tutelage, knocking down nearly three treys a game at a 36.4% clip.
VanVleet discussed Nurse’s hiring on The Stadium’s Inside The Association (May 30).
“It’s just a different voice that they haven’t heard before — something outside the box. He’s going to bring new ideas, creative ideas. It’ll be a great breath of fresh air for them.
“I think coming down the stretch, they pretty much had to get Joel (Embiid) on board. I think once Nick met with Joel, as long as he’s signing off on all the crazy stuff that Coach wants to do, I think that they’ll be in a good spot. I think he’ll have some success … hopefully, not too much. If I’m not there and I’m staying in Toronto, then we want them to fail.
“But other than that, I’m happy that he landed on his feet. Our situation was our situation this year and coming down the stretch, they decided to go different ways, but I’m just happy that he landed on his feet. Good to see him back with another job.”
VanVleet was also asked during the interview whether he had heard from any of the 76ers stars.
“No, I haven’t gotten those calls yet, but they might be calling after training camp, trying to figure out how to read him,” VanVleet said with a smile. “He’s definitely a different guy but certainly one of the top coaches in the NBA, and we saw that with us winning the championship. So that bond we have, that’s a lifelong thing.”
Who Else Is Interested In VanVleet
When VanVleet opts out, he will have plenty of options besides Philadelphia and staying in Toronto, as he said. By all accounts, a sign-and-trade is the best option for all parties involved. The Raptors can offer him nearly $125 million over four years. Only six teams project to have $30 million in cap space. Of those squads, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando are potential destinations, according to Bleacher Report. Other possible landing spots for the veteran Raptor include the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is in flux. The Raptors went 41-41 and then lost to Chicago in the Eastern Conference’s No. 9 and No. 10 play-in game. They still don’t have a coach.
Gary Trent Jr. is also likely to decline his play option. Jakob Poeltl is a free agent and likely to command around $20 million. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby have been rumored to be trade candidates.
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.
“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 Kyrie Irving trade to Dallas. While that didn’t work out at the trade deadline, the Nets and Raptors may reconnect.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are in desperate need of a point guard. They have cap space, exciting prospects, and future draft picks. Franz Wagner, Bol Bol, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and Cole Anthony could be part of a trade package. Orlando also owns the No. 6 and 11 picks this year and 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.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are an interesting 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 Harden. A Harden-VanVleet combo would make a dynamic offensive backcourt.
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.
