All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet will meet with the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets in Los Angeles once free agency officially opens, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
VanVleet declined his 2023-24 player option with the Raptors worth $22.8 million. The talented playmaker signed a four-year, $85 million contract with Toronto in November 2020.
VanVleet averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists this past season while shooting 39.3% from the floor, 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 at home and didn’t qualify for the 2023 postseason. Nick Nurse was fired as head coach after the season and replaced by Darko Rajakovic.
The Rockets have over $60 million in cap space and are very interested in signing VanVleet. According to Stein, VanVleet is expected to receive a two-year offer from Houston worth a projected maximum of $83.6 million.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Houston Rockets 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 Illinois native captured the 2019 championship with the Raptors over the Golden State Warriors in six games.
The Rockets won only 22 games this past season. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2020. New head coach Ime Udoka wants to establish a winning culture in Houston and signing VanVleet would help that cause since the guard is a proven winner who can score and facilitate at a high level.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors & Houston Rockets Updates
Every team needs a star point guard to compete in today’s NBA and VanVleet has established himself as one of the best players at his position. Most insiders around the NBA believe the Rockets will sign VanVleet and small forward Dillon Brooks, who will not return to the Memphis Grizzlies.
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