John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Raptors free agent guard Fred VanVleet is expected to command $30-plus million annually, according to NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype.
So where will one of the top unrestricted free agents on the market land?
After a mutual decision by VanVleet and the Raptors to hold off extension talks that would’ve potentially landed him a four-year, $114 million contract, which is considered below his market value, Toronto remains in the mix to re-sign the 2022 All-Star guard.
However, several other teams, including the Rockets, Lakers, Suns, and Magic, have been linked to VanVleet as potential suitors, while other playoff-caliber teams could emerge as sign-and-trade options.
New Rockets coach Ime Udoka is believed to covet a veteran point guard, according to league sources, and VanVleet is among a wide list of targets for Houston this offseason, as noted in a recent HoopsHype podcast with Rockets beat writer Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
For the Lakers to land VanVleet, it would likely need to involve D’Angelo Russell as part of a sign-and-trade, but Toronto would need to covet Russell – a fellow free agent – in such a scenario.
The Suns flirted with adding VanVleet when he was previously a free agent, but it never came to fruition. Now, the Suns have discussed several trade scenarios involving future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, including a deal that would land Bradley Beal in Phoenix.
Orlando has been linked to VanVleet due to his connection with Jeff Weltman during their time together in Toronto. However, there’s some pessimism that Orlando would be willing to make a big splash in free agency by signing VanVleet with a predominantly young core that isn’t ready to contend at a high level now.
