Orlando Magic

Report: Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic are potential suitors for Fred VanVleet in free agency

Published by
Brad Sullivan

If Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet hits free agency this offseason, it sounds like the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic will be teams to watch for him.

Shams Charania of The Athletic assessed the various rumors floating around the NBA and pointed out the interest in VanVleet, who has a player option for next season.

“The Suns and Magic have emerged as potential free-agent suitors for All-Star guard VanVleet, league sources say,” Charania wrote.

VanVleet, who turns 29 next month, has emerged from humble NBA circumstances to become a key part of the Raptors lineup. He was part of the franchise’s only NBA title in 2019.

After signing with the Raptors as an undrafted free agent in 2016, VanVleet bounced between the NBA and G League as a rookie. The following season, he came off the bench in 76 regular season games for the Raptors.

This season, VanVleet is averaging 18.2 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. His scoring is slightly down from that of last season, though he remains a key part of the team’s starting lineup.

VanVleet has played in 36 of the Raptors’ 44 games this season. He has dealt with back issues at times.

Despite that pain, VanVleet has shown just how effective he can be on the court. In consecutive games against the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks earlier this month, he scored 28 points in each contest and dished out a combined 19 assists.

Currently, VanVleet is coming off a strong road performance in a victory over the Knicks on Monday in which he dropped 33 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

In 2020, VanVleet signed a four-year deal with Toronto worth $85 million. This season, he’s making about $21.3 million and would make around $22.8 million in the 2023-24 campaign if he were to pick up his option.

Based on the numbers that he’s put up over the past few years, VanVleet could pursue an even more lucrative deal during the offseason.

The Raptors have generally had issues with keeping their top players, with the departures of Chris Bosh and Kawhi Leonard being a couple of examples.

Of course, VanVleet could choose to finish out his deal with the Raptors next season. A variety of different factors, besides the financial aspect, will presumably come into play when that decision is made.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Chandler Parsons: Jaylen Brown would be best player on over half of NBA teams, including some playoff teams

The Boston Celtics were without maybe their top player for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the…

2 hours ago

‘Spo gonna Spo’: Cavs player gives Erik Spoelstra his flowers after Heat’s near-upset in Game 2

The odds were stacked against the Miami Heat to pick up a win in Game…

2 hours ago

Report: Will Campbell landing with Patriots may depend on whether team gets ‘fair deal’ to trade down

As a consolation prize for a woeful 2024 season that was marred by losing, the…

4 hours ago

Report: ‘Most of the league’ has been contacted about Jalen Ramsey, including Rams, Lions and Eagles

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is one of the more notable players in the league…

5 hours ago

Report: Rival teams project Blazers as team to monitor for potential trades this offseason

The Portland Trail Blazers are watching the 2025 NBA Playoffs from home after they finished…

16 hours ago

NFC executive praises Shedeur Sanders’ ability to make difficult throws: ‘He’s got probably the best collection of those’

Former University of Colorado Boulder star quarterback Shedeur Sanders is projected by some to be…

16 hours ago