One NBA writer has proposed that the Washington Wizards acquire Fred VanVleet from the Toronto Raptors this summer.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Wizards send Daniel Gafford, Johnny Davis, Isaiah Todd and the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to the Raptors for VanVleet.
“If Washington hopes to compete for anything with this core, it has to upgrade the point guard position,” Buckley wrote. “Going from Monte Morris to Fred VanVleet would be a multi-tier jump. Morris is an offensive caretaker who’s best when piloting a bench unit. VanVleet is a certified star on both ends pairing top-shelf shot-creation skills with pesky point-of-attack defense.
“VanVleet works both on and off the basketball, which, when coupled with his stingy defense, makes him close to an ideal backcourt partner for Beal. The pair would put tremendous pressure on opposing defenses, who would get stretched awfully thin if they had to also contend with Kuzma and Porziņģis, both of whom netted 21-plus points per game.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Washington Wizards Updates
VanVleet averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season for the Raptors while shooting 39.3% from the floor, 34.2% from beyond the arc and 89.8% from the free-throw line. He can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2023-24 player option.
A one-time champion, VanVleet signed a four-year, $85 million contract with the Raptors in November 2020. During his end-of-the-season press conference, VanVleet told reporters that he wouldn’t rush into a decision about his future.
“I know we’re very dramatic around here,” VanVleet said. “It’s a tough way to go out. Not too much rush to jump into a decision about opting out. It will take some time.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Washington Wizards Updates
The Wizards could compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference next season with a core of VanVleet, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porziņģis. That’s four players who can score over 20 points in their sleep.
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