The Raptors’ star player is reportedly joining the Rockets after departing the Raptors because of…
Fred VanVleet was part of the Raptors team that won a championship in 2019 and was chosen an all-star in 2022. Two weeks ago, the point guard chose not to exercise his $22.8 million player option with Toronto. (Getty Images/Stacy Revere))
With the departure of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, the resigning of centre Jakob Poeltl, and the arrival of German guard Dennis Schröder, the Toronto Raptors are ushering in a new chapter.
According to numerous reports on Friday, VanVleet is leaving the Raptors after seven seasons and joining the Houston Rockets on a three-year, $130 million US contract.
VanVleet signed an NBA Summer League contract with the Raptors in 2016 after being left undrafted out of Wichita State. He advanced through the team’s ranks and became a symbol of Toronto’s successful player development.
The Rockford, Illinois, product became an NBA champion and all-star after winning the G League.
VanVleet scored 22 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter, in the championship-clinching Game 6 against the Golden State Warriors, which helped the Raptors win their first championship in 2019.
With a career-high 20.3 points per game in 2021–22, he filled the point-guard gap left by club legend Kyle Lowry and was named an all-star.
The 29-year-old is allegedly about to get the biggest NBA contract ever for an undrafted player.
After losing to the Chicago Bulls in a play-in game, VanVleet averaged 19.3 points and a career-high 7.2 assists as Toronto concluded with a 41-41 record and was not eligible for the postseason.
VanVleet turned down his $22.8 million player option two weeks ago in order to become a free agent. He was actively involved in trade rumours during the trade deadline of the previous season.
He joins a Rockets club that, although without a winning season in the previous three, is full of young potential, led by guard Jalen Green, forward Jabari Smith Jr., and centre Alperen Sengun.
The Raptors reportedly signed Schröder to a $26 million, two-year contract as soon as possible in order to immediately replace VanVleet.
For the Lakers, Schröder averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 32.9 percent from three-point range.
After stays in Atlanta, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles, Boston, and Houston, the 29-year-old now calls Toronto home.
The Raptors kept one of their free agents after losing VanVleet.
Poeltl apparently inked a $80-million, four-year contract with a player option for the final year.
The 27-year-old played in 26 games with Toronto last season, averaging 13.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks.
During the trade deadline of the previous season, Poeltl was acquired by the Raptors from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Khem Birch, a protected 2024 first-round pick, and two future seconds.
