NBA insider Duane Rankin of AZCentral.com believes the Phoenix Suns could pursue Fred VanVleet this offseason if the franchise parts ways with Chris Paul.
VanVleet declined his 2023-24 player option with the Toronto Raptors on June 12, so he will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, the Suns are expected to waive, stretch or trade Paul, who has a partially guaranteed contract for next season.
VanVleet, who is an undrafted player, signed a four-year, $85 million contract with the Raptors in November 2020. He averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season while shooting 39.3% from the field, 34.2% from beyond the arc and 89.8% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Phoenix Suns Updates
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported in February that the Suns are expected to pursue VanVleet this offseason if the guard hits unrestricted free agency, which he will.
“Phoenix had already contacted rival teams about other ball-handlers on the February trade market, sources said,” Fischer reported. “And were one team that was expected by league personnel to pursue Fred VanVleet if he truly reaches unrestricted free agency this summer.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Phoenix Suns Updates
A former NBA executive believes VanVleet is a good fit for the Suns. The former exec told NBA Analysis Network that VanVleet is a more “feasible option” than Kyrie Irving, who has been linked to the Suns.
“A more feasible option than Kyrie for the Suns would be Fred VanVleet,” the former exec said. “He’s not going to get paid quite as much as Kyrie, and with the impact VanVleet has given Toronto, it’s hard to envision them being hostile if it came down to help him get where he wants via sign-and-trade. It doesn’t hurt that he’d be moved out of conference, either.”
Paul averaged a career-low 13.9 points in 2022-23 while shooting 44.0% overall and 37.5% from 3-point land. He is 38 years old and no longer a superstar in the NBA.
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