The Raptors and Rockets both increased their offers to Fred VanVleet Friday night before he decided to sign with Houston, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
Toronto had been hesitant to exceed $90MM over three years, with one source describing it to Grange as a “glass ceiling.” Although VanVleet is one of the most accomplished players in franchise history, he has missed 30 combined games due to injury over the last two years and he shot career lows both from the field and from three-point range last season. There were also concerns that going beyond that limit would inhibit the team’s ability to make other moves, such as re-signing center Jakob Poeltl.
The situation changed when rumors of James Harden returning to Houston died down and the Raptors realized that VanVleet had become the Rockets’ number one target. During a meeting with VanVleet shortly after the start of free agency, Raptors officials presented him with an expanded offer that brought it to $120MM for four seasons.
Sources tell Grange that VanVleet next met with the Rockets, who also added a year to their offer, increasing it to three years at nearly $129MM. After nearly three hours of waiting, the Raptors learned that they were losing their starting point guard.
There’s more from Toronto:
- Lakers players will miss Dennis Schröder, whom the Raptors quickly signed as VanVleet’s replacement, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Austin Reaves called Schroder “one of the best teammates I’ve met” and said his commitment to winning over everything else made him stand out.
- Before OG Anunoby finalized a change in his representation, he told prospective agents that he wants a situation with more ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities when he signs his next contract, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. VanVleet’s departure and the addition of Darko Rajakovic as head coach might provide that opportunity for Anunoby in Toronto, Fischer suggests.
- James Wade is the latest addition to Rajakovic’s coaching staff, tweets James Kay of TheNextHoops. Wade had been the general manager and head coach of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.
Vanvleet is declining on both offense and defense. That is one of the reason Raptors miss the playoffs
FVV Real value 3-year $65 million
Note
I don’t compare his contract to Bridges (Nets)
Bridges $18 million per year
Raptors fans would also LOVE more ball handling from OG if he could actually handle the ball. He guards 3/4/5 as well as anyone but his handles and overall athleticism (specifically fluidity of movement) leave a LOT to be desired. I don’t see him as a Jaylen Brown type. He works best as bully ball down low or spot up 3s.
Some roles can be negotiated and some can’t. TOR has an excess of non-PG playmakers, and a deficiency of floor spacers. As long as that’s the case (and it appears it’s trending toward another year), I’m not sure it matters what the HC says or intends, OG can only get so many playmaking opportunities.
Not sure why so many fans and Raptors pundits are upset Fred’s gone. He was as much of a problem as Nurse. Took too many bad shots, lost faith in his teammates and seemed to be playing for himself. Not good from your floor general. Pascal passes more. I lost count how many times Fred would jack tough shots with a wing wide open. His stats are inflated, percentages are terrible and they will be a better team without him. Fred’s defence is ok and while everyone talks about his deflection stats on most mismatches other players can shoot right over him.
If OG wants more than 15 shots a game and be a playmaker they should trade him. Sometimes it seems like Masai’s patience is stalling too much. VV and OG for a package involving Haliburton at the 2022 deadline should have happened. I was upset they balked at OG being traded then. Also all player development stalled under Nurse’s lead and they need to get the confidence back for their bench and young players. Barnes needs a defined role because his sophomore year was confusing. If they want to keep so many wings why hasn’t he played the point more? He has great vision and ball handling. How is Dick going to develop on a team with so many vets to feed? And now they’ve added Jalen to the mix of wings. This team seems lost between rebuild and win now and can’t commit to either. There’s definitely loads of talent so it wil be interesting to see how Darko will coach them.
The Toronto Raptors made a smart move by not overpaying for Fred VanVleet. He’s already got the championship now prioritizing the bag for him was extremely smart. Then with Fred VanVleet getting that bag in Texas for the Houston Rockets he’s going to see majority of it because it’s no state tax. Smart move for all parties. Fred VanVleet, the Houston Rockets, and the Toronto Raptors. Then they made a very smart move by not waisting no time and getting Dennis Schroder. I’m interested to see how they run their starting lineup and rotation over here. I’m almost thinking that they might go big and play Scottie Barnes at Point Guard and let Dennis Schroder be the 6th man off the bench.
Starters
SF O.G. Anunoby 6’7 235
PF Pascal Siakam 6’8 230
C Jakob Poeltl 7’1 245
SG Gary Trent Jr. 6’5 210
PG Scottie Barnes 6’8 225
Bench
PG Dennis Schroder 6’1 175
SG Grady Dick 6’7 200
SF Jalen McDaniels 6’9 205
PF Precious Achiuwa 6’8 225
PF Chris Boucher 6’9 200
This is a team that is extremely long and will be great defensively all over the court. I love me some Fred VanVleet but this team right here might be better without him because they can unlock parts to Scottie Barnes and O.G. Anunoby games that probably wouldn’t been unlocked if he was still on the roster. I’m very interested how they going to do it. This is a very good team to be coaching for a first year head coach. Darko Rajakovic is stepping into a very nice situation.
Some nice length and switchable all over but TERRIBLE shooting unfortunately.
This team has a chance to grow and be a threat. We shall see.
That sounds like OG already has one foot out the door. I won’t be upset if they trade him.