Can Rockets 'Rally Around' Raptors PG Fred VanVleet?
The NBA offseason is officially upon us and free agency is just around the corner.
The first domino of the league's free agency carousel fell when Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet declined his player option and became a free agent. He's someone the Houston Rockets could have interest in.
"If Houston wants a veteran point guard, VanVleet would be a better option thanks to his age (29), leadership and championship experience," Bleacher Report writes. "He'd be someone the rest of the guys in the locker room could rally around, a former undrafted free agent who worked his way to becoming an All-Star."
VanVleet went undrafted out of Wichita State in 2016, but has become one of the more inspiring NBA success stories since. This past season, he averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, a career-high 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals while starting all 69 of the games he appeared in.
With around $60 million in cap space along with a pair of lottery selections in this year's NBA Draft, there is a chance that the Rockets wouldn't need to rid roster pieces to snag VanVleet in a sign-and-trade. However, to land one of this year's most sought after free agents, the price tag won't be cheap.
VanVleet could return to the Raptors on a max contract of roughly $40 million per season, but is more likely to receive in the range of $28-$30 million over a three-to-four year span.
You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.
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