Fred VanVleet is declining his 2023-24 player option with the Toronto Raptors, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The one-time champion will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
VanVleet 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.
The Raptors lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 9-10 play-in game and didn’t qualify for the postseason. Nick Nurse was fired as head coach and replaced by Darko Rajakovic.
“VanVleet hasn’t ruled out negotiating a new deal and a Raptors return, sources said, but he becomes one of the most prominent guards in the marketplace and an immediate target of teams with cap space and several contenders who’d welcome discussions on sign-and-trade scenarios with Toronto, sources said,” Woj wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet & Toronto Raptors Updates
VanVleet has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report reported that VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. are expected to leave the Raptors this offseason.
“The franchise is deciding its direction, and many around the league believe Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. won’t return (both have player options),” Pincus wrote. “Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby are heading into the final years of their contracts (Anunoby has a player option for 2024-25). Either the Raptors recommit fully to that group (the team doesn’t have a head coach yet) or go in a different direction entirely. Several competing executives anticipate Toronto will build around Scottie Barnes and young talent with deals leading into the NBA draft.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet & Toronto Raptors Updates
VanVleet, who is an undrafted player out of Wichita State, has career averages of 14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He is represented by Klutch Sports Group, the same agency Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are with.
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