Fred VanVleet has officially declined his $22.8 million player option for 2023-24. It was coming for a while and it paves the way for him to earn more as a free agent this summer. The Raptors had an opportunity to trade him as well as other veterans ahead of last season’s trade deadline but chose not to. Instead, they doubled down on their roster by acquiring an upgrade at center in Jakob Poeltl. Toronto would go ahead and miss the playoffs following a loss in the Play-In Tournament to Chicago.
The Raptors are entering the 2023 offseason without a clear indication of which direction they want to go. What complicates that decision is that they owe the Spurs a Top 6 protected first-round pick in 2024, so they have no incentive to bottom out next season. However, the hiring of Darko Rajakovic, a first-time head coach known for player development, could suggest they’re open to the idea of a teardown to some degree.
According to Marc Stein, many around the league believe that VanVleet won’t return to Toronto this summer. There are a number of teams that could pursue him in free agency via cap space or a sign-and-trade, and he could be looking at an annual salary in the $30 million range. It’s possible that he still returns to the Raptors, but here are some teams that have been linked to VanVleet and how they could acquire him.
The Houston Rockets intend on pursuing veterans this summer to make a playoff push. They are armed with $60 million in cap space and have been linked to multiple veterans, including VanVleet. One of their biggest needs is a new lead guard and they are rumored to be a frontrunner for James Harden. However, now there is less certainty that the Rockets will land him. If that falls through, VanVleet would be their next logical free agent target.
The Orlando Magic are another cap space team that could use backcourt help. They’ve been linked to VanVleet and project to have around $30 million in cap space this summer. That should be enough to offer him a reasonable contract offer, and he could play with the other guards they have on the roster. He could provide a jolt that could help the Magic make a push toward the play-in Tournament next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers stabilized their backcourt with the mid-season addition of D’Angelo Russell. However, they will probably be on the lookout for a guard that could be more viable for the playoffs. Kyrie Irving will naturally be linked to them, but he seems likely to re-sign with the Mavericks. Chris Paul might be a more realistic option if the Suns follow through with waiving him.
VanVleet would be a better long-term option but it’s a longshot that they’ll acquire him since it would require Toronto’s cooperation in a sign-and-trade. The Lakers will be able to trade two first-round picks this offseason, the 17th overall selection, and either a 2029 or 2030 pick. They’d also need the Raptors or a third team to take on a combination of players like Russell through a sign-and-trade, or Malik Beasley or Mo Bamba if their salaries are guaranteed.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are in need of a new lead guard now that Chris Paul is expected to get waived. They need to generate more flexibility below the tax apron so they can adequately fill up the roster. They still remain interested in guards such as VanVleet and Terry Rozier, but acquiring such a player would require them to send out significant outgoing salary in a trade.
The Suns now have fewer assets to acquire VanVleet or any high-level player for that matter after trading everything for Kevin Durant. Without any first-round picks available to trade, they would need to get creative and structure a sign-and-trade the Raptors would agree to. For example, a three-team deal sending VanVleet to the Suns, Deandre Ayton to a third team, and assets from the third team to the Raptors might be their best path.
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Story originally appeared on HoopsHype
