Raptors Preparing 'Big Money Offer' to Keep Fred VanVleet in Free Agency
Maybe Fred VanVleet won’t be leaving town after all.
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly planning to make a “big money offer” to VanVleet when free agency opens later this month, according to Matt Moore of the Action Network. Toronto remains “on the table” as an option for VanVleet.
Moore had previously reported VanVleet was unlikely to be with the Raptors as multiple teams are expected to pursue the 29-year-old point guard. Houston and Philadelphia are two teams Moore had named as potential landing spots for VanVleet either as free-agent signings or via a sign-and-trade.
VanVleet turned down his player option worth $22.8 million for next season and is expected to earn close to $30 million per season in his next contract. Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reported VanVleet’s contract could exceed three years, $90 million.
Toronto does not have very much wiggle room below the luxury tax threshold to re-sign VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl, who is expected to earn roughly $20 million per season. If the Raptors can keep their combined first-year contract values around $46 million, it could be feasible for Toronto to re-sign both players and fill out the roster.
The Raptors have repeatedly said publicly they’d like to re-sign VanVleet this summer and have been in ongoing conversations with both him and his representatives at Klutch Sports.
Free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
Further Reading
Here's What the Luxury Tax Increase Means for the Raptors This Offseason
Raptors Talk Draft Philosophy, Trade Options, & 2023 Class Strengths Ahead of NBA Draft
Gary Trent Jr. Opts Into Raptors Contract, Extension Talks Expected to Begin, per Reports
