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After a failed bid to repeat as NBA champions in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the 2019 title-holders in the Toronto Raptors will aim to make noise in the offseason.
They would want to put up a championship-caliber team while also hoping to return most of their key contributors from last season, including guard Fred VanVleet.
“The Raptors have two primary goals this offseason: re-sign guard Fred VanVleet, and do so without eating into their max cap space for 2021 too much.”
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, any deal around four years and $80 million involving the 26-year-old guard should keep Toronto in the superstar race next offseason. However, things can get shaky if the Raptors start competing with bigger offers for one of their most important players.
Prior to the 2019 NBA season, the former undrafted swingman braved the waters and bet on himself in free agency. He wounded up signing a two-year, $18 million deal with the Raptors and emerged to be a mainstay on the eventual 2019 NBA champions.
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Heading into the 2020 offseason, VanVleet currently finds himself in a different situation as he now enters the market as possibly the best unrestricted player with a free choice to where he wants to relocate.
The former Wichita State standout now finds himself being dealt with two cards. He can secure the bag and be the centerpiece of a rebuilding team like the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and the Detroit Pistons who have a ton of cap space to welcome him on their respective teams.
On the other hand, he can also take a smaller paycheck to remain with a playoff team like the Raptors and continue to contribute to their championship aspirations for next season.
Regardless of VanVleet's looming decision, expect Raptors president Masai Ujiri and the team's front office to go after him and attempt to secure his services for the years to come.
