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When talking to team officials across the NBA, the Toronto Raptors are the most fascinating franchise to watch before the deadline. At 20-24 and 11th place in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors have underwhelmed at times and have several talented players — Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. — whom teams are monitoring. If the Raptors decide to rebuild and prepare to aim for the draft lottery by moving a couple of their key cornerstones, there will be a long list of suitors.

Without a doubt, the Raptors have the full attention of everyone across the NBA.

The Suns and Magic have emerged as potential free-agent suitors for All-Star guard VanVleet, league sources say. VanVleet — the 2019 NBA champion and one of the league’s greatest undrafted success stories — spoke recently about his pending free-agency status in the offseason and how he remains focused on the Raptors: “I’m completely focused on his team. My loyalty is to this team and to this franchise and trying to get us back to the level that we’re accustomed to around here.”

https://theathletic.com/4098049/2023/01/17/nba-trade-deadline-poeltl-collins-vanvleet-shams/?source=nbatw ($)


My feelings on FVV are well known. I'd love to add him. I think you could even play him with Fultz potentially if y'all aren't ready to give up on that dream.

VanVleet had 33 points, 8 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks and made 5 threes in the Raptors OT win over the Knicks yesterday.

Yes please. He'll be a solid starter for years to come and I love his leadership and other intangibles. I prefer him to Fultz.

I wouldnt mind him, he fits well with the team we are building. He fits with the raptors, and since we are the same built.. haha

Shams must be reading Knightro's posts

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Free agent and trade is different - what is The Atlantic trying to say? We're going to go at him hard in free agency or make a trade for him before the deadline?

I do think he'd fit in better than Fultz (unless Fultz starts using his midrange form out to the 3 and shoots 3+ a game) but FVV doesn't seem like a long term solution. Dude's gonna be 29 in a month.

I'm just glad there's news of us trying to get better and build around Franz/Paolo.

I'm hesitant. I'm nervous about undersized guards. I'm nervous about undersized guards looking for max contract money. I'm nervous about that guard spending the better time of the next contract on the other side of 30 (he turns 29 in 1 month) with a core that is mostly 23 and under. He's never been the most efficient guard (career 40% FG%, career 54% TS). It makes me nervous that he's small and shooting the worst percentages of his career this year.

And yet, he'd instantly be the best guard on our team. He'd add some professionalism to a team of young guys that needs direction. He's sound on defense. Even though his shooting is down, defenses respect him. He has a gravity that teams still honor. He's a good, average, starting NBA point guard. He can man the fort for the next 3-4 years if the intention is to win right away next season.

What I wouldn't do is spend a bunch of assets to trade for him this trade deadline if I know I can just sign him in the off-season. The bird rights is a thing if you intend to offer him the most money that would keep him. And in a pretty dry free agency class, I won't be surprised if he's getting a Jalen Brunson contract. And those deals just make me nervous.

All in all, I like FVV. I'm a fan of his in a vacuum. I've always respected him from his time at Wichita State. I just don't know that the time and price is going to make sense.

swarlesbarkley wrote:Free agent and trade is different - what is The Atlantic trying to say? We're going to go at him hard in free agency or make a trade for him before the deadline?

I do think he'd fit in better than Fultz (unless Fultz starts using his midrange form out to the 3 and shoots 3+ a game) but FVV doesn't seem like a long term solution. Dude's gonna be 29 in a month.

FVV played SG next to Kyle Lowry when the Raptors won the NBA title.

He can play SG capably next to Fultz if they want to keep Fultz. Or next to Scoot Henderson

I don’t love it. All signs point to him wanting a major bag (as he should) and I just don’t like the situation that puts Orlando in. Let a team close to the finish line that just needs that one guy give him a big deal.

I’m not ready to overpay for an older, undersized guard. That just doesn’t feel like the right move for us.

If WeHam work their Magic and get him to come on board for a more reasonable deal then let’s talk. I just don’t see that happening.

basketballRob wrote:Shams must be reading Knightro's posts

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I think i might have been the one to propose it on here first and i still think it's a brilliant fit for us.

Because Fred can score it (when hes not in a slump) at a good clip, it could allow us to go for a different SG profile, maybe more the athletic type who can rebound and shoot it a bit.

Make it so!

Knightro wrote:

swarlesbarkley wrote:Free agent and trade is different - what is The Atlantic trying to say? We're going to go at him hard in free agency or make a trade for him before the deadline?

I do think he'd fit in better than Fultz (unless Fultz starts using his midrange form out to the 3 and shoots 3+ a game) but FVV doesn't seem like a long term solution. Dude's gonna be 29 in a month.

FVV played SG next to Kyle Lowry when the Raptors won the NBA title.

He can play SG capably next to Fultz if they want to keep Fultz. Or next to Scoot Henderson

If we're getting FVV I hope we're starting him at SG with Suggs at PG.

I'm worried about his back issues. I'm up for adding him but up to a certain price. Definitely not big money.

Nyce_1 wrote:I'm worried about his back issues. I'm up for adding him but up to a certain price. Definitely not big money.

Given he's basically an expiring, it can't possibly be a huge haul...

Undersized doesn't mean too much to me because FVV a still a capable and tough defender.

I also think he will benefit SIGNIFICANTLY from not playing so many minutes.

The last four years he's averaged 35.7, 36.5, 37.9 and 36.8. That's a lot for anyone.

Bump that down to like 28-30-32 and I suspect you'll see an uptick in his efficiency and per-minute productivity.

I'm more interested into what's his expected salary for next year. Are we talking about $30M a year over 4 - 5 years? Or 35? Or what execlly.

Our supposed rumored interest in him reminds me of when Weltman wanted to sign Joe Ingles to a $15M (big money then) to add to Vuc/AG/Fournier.

If we got him, it would've been a fantastic fit. I trust the FO and how they may view the fit/direction of the team.

FVV is the right kind of vet (even a fcuking all-star) to add to such a young, promising team. Tough, smart, savvy, experienced...he can teach our guys a lot and lead us to the next stage of the build.

Def Swami wrote:I'm hesitant. I'm nervous about undersized guards. I'm nervous about undersized guards looking for max contract money. I'm nervous about that guard spending the better time of the next contract on the other side of 30 (he turns 29 in 1 month) with a corse that is mostly 23 and under. He's never been the most efficient guard (career 40% FG%, career 54% TS). It makes me nervous that he's small and shooting the worst percentages of his career this year.

And yet, he'd instantly be the best guard on our team. He'd add some professionalism to a team of young guys that needs direction. He's sound on defense. Even though his shooting is down, defenses respect him. He has a gravity that teams still honor. He's a good, average, starting NBA point guard. He can man the fort for the next 3-4 years if the intention is to win right away next season.

What I wouldn't do is spend a bunch of assets to trade for him this trade deadline if I know I can just sign him in the off-season. The bird rights is a thing if you intend to offer him the most money that would keep him. And in a pretty dry free agency class, I won't be surprised if he's getting a Jalen Brunson contract. And those deals just make me nervous.

All in all, I like FVV. I'm a fan of his in a vacuum. I've always respected him from his time at Wichita State. I just don't know that the time and price is going to make sense.

is he looking for max money? i hadnt heard that.

im not as nervous about age on FVV, his game isnt predicated on his athleticism vs someone like Derrick Rose. with his age though comes experience and would be a good leader for the team and the young guys.

i agree with you, you dont break the bank on this type of trade, with his pending free agency.

pepe1991 wrote:I'm more interested into what's his expected salary for next year. Are we talking about $30M a year over 4 - 5 years? Or 35? Or what execlly.

If the Magic sign him outright, they can only give him 4 years.

I think you're looking at 4/120.

Im happy to hear any rumors but whats interesting too see is reaction on this board.
In the past we saw many ideas fan proposals rumors etc...and often fans responded ...that this or that guy doesnt fit the timeframe...

somehow Im curious if almost 30 yo FvV suddenly fits the timeline or timeframe for some posters here but same time earlier same people used doesnt fit our timeline for younger players than FvV ...so double standards or what?

swarlesbarkley wrote:

Knightro wrote:

swarlesbarkley wrote:Free agent and trade is different - what is The Atlantic trying to say? We're going to go at him hard in free agency or make a trade for him before the deadline?

I do think he'd fit in better than Fultz (unless Fultz starts using his midrange form out to the 3 and shoots 3+ a game) but FVV doesn't seem like a long term solution. Dude's gonna be 29 in a month.

FVV played SG next to Kyle Lowry when the Raptors won the NBA title.

He can play SG capably next to Fultz if they want to keep Fultz. Or next to Scoot Henderson

If we're getting FVV I hope we're starting him at SG with Suggs at PG.

I think FVV + Suggs or FVV + Harris are both quality options. It doesnt suprise me we are being linked to Fred. He will cost us nothing in free agency except salary, which we will need to use in the offseason. He gives us strong defender with good frame, veteran presence, champioship pedegree, good passer and shooter. I wanted FVV since 2018 when i also wanted for us to hire Nick Nurse as coach.