Fred VanVleet showed that he could play at a top-tier level last season, being selected for the All-Star game to represent the Toronto Raptors. He has had a tough time this year but is still averaging 18.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 6.3 APG.
Recently, there have been rumors that have suggested the Toronto Raptors are listening to offers for their core players. Fred VanVleet is one of them, partly due to his contract situation with the team. He could potentially be a free agent at the end of this season if he declines his player option.
A recent report from Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that the Phoenix Suns and the Orlando Magic are two teams that could target Fred VanVleet if he ends up as a free agent.
The Suns and Magic have emerged as potential free-agent suitors for All-Star guard VanVleet, league sources say. VanVleet — the 2019 NBA champion and one of the league’s greatest undrafted success stories — spoke recently about his pending free-agency status in the offseason and how he remains focused on the Raptors: “I’m completely focused on his team. My loyalty is to this team and to this franchise and trying to get us back to the level that we’re accustomed to around here.”
It remains to be seen if either of the two teams will end up acquiring Fred VanVleet in free agency. The Phoenix Suns will have to clear some cap space to acquire him, but they could use him as a piece to build a contending team around Devin Booker.
The Los Angeles Lakers Are Also Interested In Fred VanVleet
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that also has some interest in Fred VanVleet, though they are clearly trying to acquire him via trade rather than waiting for free agency.
“The Raptors are a hot topic,” Zillgitt wrote. “Will they blow it up? Make minor moves? Do nothing at all? It’s another interesting situation because the Raptors have players other teams want, including Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes, the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year. Adding intrigue is the contract situations: Siakam and Anunoby can become free agents in 2024, VanVleet a free agent following this season and Barnes is looking for a significant raise on a rookie extension. The 17-23 Raptors have financial decisions to make at some point. Keep this in mind, too: Under team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster, the Raptors are not known for major deals at the trade deadline. VanVleet is worth watching, and with his name linked to a possible Lakers deal, don’t discount a sly move for VanVleet by Orlando.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with a number of moves, and we’ll see which trades they make, if any. Fred VanVleet is a player that adds shooting and defense, so he could definitely be of use to them this season.
It is clear that a number of teams around the league want Fred VanVleet, and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up. There is obviously no shortage of suitors for his services.
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