NBA Rumors: Raptors' Fred VanVleet Interests Suns, Magic in Free Agency
The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic are reportedly among the teams interested in Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet if he hits unrestricted free agency this summer.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Orlando and Phoenix are chief among interested parties as VanVleet prepares for his first foray into the open market.
VanVleet has a $22.8 million player option for the 2023-24 season. He has not indicated whether he plans on returning next season or opting for free agency, where he would likely get his first nine-figure contract.
"I'm completely focused on this 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," VanVleet said.
While there will be no shortage of interested parties if VanVleet goes the free-agency route, he's not done much to raise his value. He's averaging 18.2 points, 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game but has been putting up the least efficient scoring numbers of his prime. His 37.6 field-goal percentage is his worst since his rookie season, and his 32.8 percent mark from three is a career worst.
The Raptors are a disappointing 20-24 and are tied with the Chicago Bulls for the No. 10 seed and final play-in berth in the Eastern Conference. They'll approach the Feb. 9 trade deadline at something of a crossroads, with VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. (player option) eligible for free agency this summer and Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby both potentially hitting the open market a year later.
It seems unlikely that Toronto will want to tread water by making several long-term commitments to a mediocre core.
Teams like Orlando and Phoenix could sense the Raptors' core splintering and look to make a splash this summer.
