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Fred VanVleet is averaging 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. The Toronto Raptors guard is shooting 37.7% from the field, 32.5% from three-point range, and 87.8% from the free-throw line. VanVleet has the ability to opt out of the final year of the four-year, $85 million contract extension that he signed prior to the 2020-2021 season.
The one-time All-Star, who would be owed $22.8 million, is reportedly looking for a contract similar to the one that the Miami Heat gave Tyler Herro prior to this season. TSN's Josh Lewenberg shared that VanVleet turned down a $114 million extension, which is the maximum amount that Toronto can offer, prior to the season before adding:
"In terms of what VanVleet will be looking for on the open market, the four-year, $130 million deal that Tyler Herro got last fall is expected to be the baseline. Officially, the Raptors don’t have to decide whether they’re going to be the team that gives it to him until July. Essentially, though, they’ve got to make that decision over the next five weeks, ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, or they risk losing him for nothing."
While it is unclear if the Toronto Raptors would entertain trading VanVleet, it is an option that the team must weigh internally as the trade deadline approaches. VanVleet will likely be looking to secure one final payday as he will turn 29 next month.
Watch Fred VanVleet's highlights below:
Fred VanVleet claims that the Toronto Raptors would have three-peat if Kawhi Leonard stayed
Kawhi Leonard spent one season as a member of the Toronto Raptors, helping lead the organization to their only championship in franchise history. His former Raptors teammate, Fred VanVleet, shared that he believes the franchise would have continued to win titles if Leonard had remained a Raptor.
During an appearance on How Hungry Are You?, host Serge Ibaka, who was also a member of the Raptors' 2018-2019 title-winning team, asked VanVleet:
"If Kawhi stayed, do we go back-to-back?"
VanVleet responded:
"Three-peat, for sure. It was just a perfect group of individuals, and we all understood, everybody had the right mindset for the roles. I think definitely we would have won a few more."
While the Raptors were able to improve their record in the season following Leonard's departure, they were ultimately eliminated in the second round of the postseason. It is impossible to know how things would have turned out for Toronto, however, Leonard has missed more than half of the game since joining the Los Angeles Clippers.
Watch Fred VanVleet share his thoughts on the Raptors' chances if Kawhi Leonard stays in Toronto below:
If VanVleet chooses to opt out of his contract, it will be intriguing to see how his market shapes out this coming offseason.
Guess the Lakers players!
