The Toronto Raptors are set to meet with unrestricted free agent Fred VanVleet in Los Angeles at 3PM PT, according to Sportsnet insider Michael Grange, in what will be “his first official contact” of free agency.

VanVleet has been a hot name among the 2023 free agent class, with the Houston Rockets said desire the former undrafted player a two-year maximum contract valued at around $40 million annually. Having selected point guard Amen Thompson with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, it's likely that the Rockets want to slowly but surely bring Thompson along.

With the Raptors long known to have interest in bringing VanVleet back after he declined his $22.8 million player option for the 2023-24 season, they have “some optimism” that a fourth year on his contract at $30 million “will be enough to keep” VanVleet in Toronto.

The idea of signing a longer-term deal with an organization and city he has familiarity with, as well as a fondness for, could be enough to entice FVV to return. After all, at 29-years-old, this could be his best chance to secure a lucrative long-term deal (which is also why VanVleet will likely take meetings with or entertain offers from a couple of other teams).

As the Raptors want to bring back unrestricted free agent Jakob Poeltl as well — and the big man likely factoring winning into his free agency decision — FVV's return could help lead to Poeltl's. Poeltl, per Grange, is expected to sign a four-year contract with an annual salary of $20 million or more.

Stay tuned for further updates.