Over the weekend the Toronto Raptors kicked off their offseason by hiring a new head coach. His first order of business will now be finding a replacement for All-Star guard Fred VanVleet.
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, VanVleet has declined his $22.8 million player option. As a result, he will become an unrestricted free agent in July.
VanVleet has been one of Toronto’s lone bright spots on the team since Kawhi Leonard left after the 2019 NBA Finals. He’s averaged over 19 points per game in each of the last three seasons and had 26 points in their play-in game against the Chicago Bulls.
In becoming a free agent, VanVleet now has a chance to not only get a big raise, he can potentially join a title contender as well.
ESPN Sources: In the first major domino of free agency, Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Fred VanVleet has declined his $22.8 million player option and will become an unrestricted free agent in July. pic.twitter.com/bVrve81XgZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2023
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Fred VanVleet went undrafted out of Wichita State in the 2016 NBA Draft but impressed enough in the Summer League to earn a contract with the Raptors, where he went on to play 37 games.
Since then VanVleet has been a regular in the Raptors’ lineup, playing at least 50 games per year every year including the pandemic-affected seasons.
VanVleet made his first All-Star game in the 2021-22 season.
Where will VanVleet play next season?