76ers Rival Watch: Raptors Could Lose Fred VanVleet This Summer

The Toronto Raptors’ transition phase could end with them losing their standout point guard Fred VanVleet for nothing.

Over the 2022-2023 NBA season, many question marks surrounded the Raptors, especially when it came to VanVleet. While there were rumors about VanVleet potentially signing a long-term extension in Toronto, the veteran guard remained on his original contract, which contains a player option for the 2023-2024 season.

With free agency just a couple of weeks away, VanVleet has reportedly decided that testing the open market would be the best business move on a personal level.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, VanVleet has declined his $22.8 million option. Therefore, VanVleet is set to hit the open market in July.

The Raptors won’t get back VanVleet via the player option, but it seems the veteran guard is open to returning if the offer is right. Per Wojnarowski’s report, VanVleet has not ruled out returning to the Raptors on a new deal.

However, in becoming one of the NBA’s top point guards on the open market, VanVleet will have a list of suitors next month.

Would the Sixers Reach Out?

It’s easy to link the 76ers to VanVleet, considering Philadelphia recently hired former Raptors head coach, Nick Nurse, to replace Doc Rivers after a three-year run.

When Nurse signed on with the Sixers, VanVleet publicly supported his former head coach on multiple occasions. At that point, many fans kicked around the idea of the Sixers bringing in the potentially soon-to-be former Raptors guard.

But the Sixers made their offseason plans clear — get James Harden back in the mix. Similar to VanVleet, Harden has a player option on his contract for the 2023-2024 season. Philadelphia would welcome the ten-time All-Star back with open arms.

James Harden’s plans are unclear at the moment. The Houston Rockets have been favored to land Harden via free agency, but a return to the Sixers shouldn’t be ruled out. And apparently, the Phoenix Suns should be a team to keep an eye on as a potential sleeper as well.

In the event Philadelphia loses Harden to Houston or Phoenix, the Sixers would have to consider other candidates on the open market. Although it would be quite difficult to land VanVleet, who will have a handful of teams bidding for his services, he will be a name to keep an eye on, considering the familiarity with Nick Nurse.