Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet, who recently parted ways with his agency, is considered very likely to sign with Klutch Sports, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack story.
VanVleet’s agency change is coming at a pivotal time in his career. The seventh-year guard is headed for unrestricted free agency this summer if he and the Raptors don’t work out an extension before then — and if he turns down his player option for the 2023/24 season, which is viewed as a near-lock.
According to Stein, multiple teams around the NBA hope that the Raptors will start to become more receptive to trade inquires on VanVleet as the February 9 deadline approaches. The Magic have been mentioned more and more often in league circles as a “prime” VanVleet suitor this summer in free agency, Stein adds, though it’s unclear if Orlando would attempt to trade for him at the deadline.
Here’s more on the Raptors:
- After having reported in December that the Knicks inquired about a possible deal for Raptors forward OG Anunoby, Ian Begley of SNY.tv follows up on that item by stating that New York was comfortable offering multiple first-round picks in exchange for Anunoby. While that’s notable, it’s worth adding a caveat — the Knicks control multiple heavily protected first-round picks, so being willing to offer a couple of those is much different than being willing to give up two or three of their own unprotected first-rounders.
- In his aforementioned Substack article, Stein expresses skepticism that either Anunoby or Pascal Siakam is a legitimate trade candidate at this season’s deadline, with Gary Trent Jr. still looking like the Raptor most likely to be moved.
- In his latest Please Don’t Aggregate This podcast (hat tip to HoopsHype), Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports also downplayed the likelihood of a Siakam trade, suggesting that the star forward wants to be in Toronto. Fischer says he’d be “shocked” if Siakam is on the move in the next couple weeks.
- No matter what the Raptors do at the trade deadline, the development of big man Precious Achiuwa should be one of the club’s top priorities in the second half of the season, argues Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. Achiuwa has been limited to 25 games so far this season due to injury, but has played some of his best basketball as of late, scoring double-digit points in eight of his last nine games, with a season-high 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting in Wednesday’s win over Sacramento.
My guess is Masai wants to compete next year, but is fine tanking this year. He’ll listen to offers, but it needs to be an overpay if they let guys from their core go to go into rebuild mode.
The picks the NYK hold from other teams are protected, but not “heavily” protected, at least if the baseline is lottery protection or top 10 protection. Only DET and WSH are protected more than top 10, but only for the next year or two (thereafter there’s 3 years where the protection declines as low as top 8 and top 9). I consider both more valuable than the MIL 2025 pick (top 4 protected).
But I agree, dealing even all of them is very different than the insanity of the NYK offering to trade their own 1st unprotected. I can’t think of the last time that a pick that valuable was traded (unprotected pick from a then lottery team with consistent recent lottery history).
Send FVV to Orlando with they want him.
FVV and Birch for Suggs, Bamba and TRoss.
Think Suggs has so much more to his game that’s yet to be unlocked. I think he could be a tall, defensive minded playmaking PG in a similar style to Lonzo Ball. Mo Bamba is a 5 that can stretch the floor, is very active contesting shots and getting blocks and is very smart and hard working. TRoss is just more of a boost to the bench. He started his career off in Toronto and finishing it there I think could appeal to him.
Now bare with me there but this what I’d try run next season…
Barnes GTJ OG Siakim Bamba
Suggs TRoss Otto Boucher Precious
Barnes as a 2k demigod style PG. Who at 6’8 and 220lbs will be an instant match up nightmare on offence and defensively will stay in front and disrupt a lot. At SG you play GTJ for the spacing, at the forwards spots OG and Siakim and down low Mo Bamba. The reason this all works is cause Bamba can space the floor (39% from 3 this season, 36% on his career). That allows Barnes to drive inside and either look to score or create after beating his man. If that breaks down you have Siakim (6.5 assists per game) who can also handle and create.
Defensively Barnes is going to give problems to any point guard in front of him. If they are a shooter he’s going to be taller and longer and will contest better, if they like to get to the rim then good luck with Barnes size and athleticism. GTJ gets to okay the ‘off ball guard’ and he’s actually a decent defender and gets alot of steals. OG and Siakim are two elite defenders and so your happy with whoever they come up against and then you have Mo at the 5. On the perimeter he could have issues but you should be able to constantly switch with the size you have in order to keep Mo in the paint. Which is where he excels at blocking shots. Overall they’d be great defensively, great getting to the rim and finishing on offence but a little shaky shooting the ball.
Off the bench you have Suggs who is a like for like replacement with Barnes. Bigger the most point guards, better playmaker and also not a great outside shooter. TRoss is your impact man, go to scorer and still alright defensively. Otto plain and simple 3 and D guy, Boucher and Thad both at the back up 4, guessing something happens there but what you want from that position is mainly just another 3 and D guy. Then lastly Precious as the back up 5. He’s a big energy guy perfect for coming off the bench and out working the opposing centre. Improving as a shot blocker and 3 point shooter.
Overall with Nick Nurses coaching I think this side is an easy playoff side next year
Magic wouldn’t give up Suggs, they don’t have to.
They have cap room and FVV will opt out and be a free agent this summer. If he wants to play for ORL, and Weltman wants him, they don’t need to give up an good assets to do it.
Why keep Suggs and invest in FVV?
You already have Fultz as your starter and Cole as your back up. Behind them you have Suggs and RJ Hampton and you want to add FVV to that mix?
Doesn’t make any sense
But you are right FVV can opt out and be a FA and sign with whoever he wants. But by signing with Klutch it’s a sign he could be trying to line himself up with the Lakers and LeBron James as they will have cap space from Russ’s expiring deal. Not to mention Klutch clients usually drive a hard bargain and are after as much money as possible.
I’d suggest that if you want him, give up Suggs, throw in TRoss for salary cap matching and then give them Mo Bamba who is the guy they actually want and your team has said is available.
Win FVV over by having him for the last half of the season and he won’t want to leave in FA.
The Magic aren’t going to give away a solid young player who is in year 1.5 of a 4 year rookie scale contract.
They don’t need to trade for FVV, they can just sign him over the summer without giving TOR any assets.
The Magic also shouldn’t have to “win FVV over.” He either wants to play with their young core or he doesn’t.
It doesn’t matter if TOR trades him elsewhere, if he really wants to play for ORL, they can sign him with cap space this summer.
ORL can trade Suggs (or any of their guards) later if they need to, but right now unless it’s for a trade that requires that type of asset (which a 35 game rental of FVV absolutely isn’t) you keep Suggs.
+ Suggs has been injured, missed his entire rookie summer which is key for young player individual development. So the Magic definitely want to see how he progresses over the next year before they decide on him.
Magic did not pick up option on RJ and he hasn’t been in rotation for a long time, been in G-League for a while. If he’s not traded at deadline, they’ll probably waive him.
I disagree and can’t be bothered arguing so I’ll just move on.
You should move on to discuss a team you’re better informed on…because your assessment of ORL situation is way off
Not to mention Suggs went from 28 minutes per game as a rookie, all but 3 as a starter to this season 23 minutes per game with slightly over half as a starter. In his last 10 it’s been 14 minutes per game all off the bench.
Clearly with so much depth at point guard adding FVV in FA is only going to reduce his role even more, drastically reducing his already low value. May aswell give him up cause he’s not in the plans obviously
The Magic are not giving Suggs away. He is their best defender, instant energy off bench.
His minutes are low because he was injured and Magic have been easing him back in gradually – his minutes likely will go up as the season progresses.
I would love to see that trade