John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports activities
Toronto Raptors free agent guard Fred VanVleet is anticipated to command $30-plus million yearly, based on NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype.
So the place will one of many high unrestricted free brokers available on the market land?
After a mutual resolution by VanVleet and the Raptors to carry off extension talks that might’ve probably landed him a four-year, $114 million contract, which is taken into account under his market worth, Toronto stays within the combine to re-sign the 2022 All-Star guard.
Nevertheless, a number of different groups, together with the Rockets, Lakers, Suns, and Magic, have been linked to VanVleet as potential suitors, whereas different playoff-caliber groups may emerge as sign-and-trade choices.
New Rockets coach Ime Udoka is believed to covet a veteran level guard, based on league sources, and VanVleet is amongst a large listing of targets for Houston this offseason, as famous in a latest HoopsHype podcast with Rockets beat author Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
For the Lakers to land VanVleet, it might seemingly have to contain D’Angelo Russell as a part of a sign-and-trade, however Toronto would want to covet Russell – a fellow free agent – in such a state of affairs.
The Suns flirted with including VanVleet when he was beforehand a free agent, however it by no means got here to fruition. Now, the Suns have mentioned a number of commerce situations involving future Corridor of Famer Chris Paul, together with a deal that might land Bradley Beal in Phoenix.
Orlando has been linked to VanVleet on account of his reference to Jeff Weltman throughout their time collectively in Toronto. Nevertheless, there’s some pessimism that Orlando can be prepared to make an enormous splash in free company by signing VanVleet with a predominantly younger core that isn’t able to contend at a excessive degree now.
