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Just minutes after the Toronto Raptors snapped their third straight loss in a 117-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Fred VanVleet decided to set the record straight on his pending contract status.
“I never got a formal offer,” the Raptors guard told reporters. It was a mutual decision.”
VanVleet was responding to a report from TSN’s Josh Lewenberg that claimed he turned down an extension offer worth about $114 million before the season started.
The 28-year-old could become an unrestricted free agent this summer as well.
Conventional logic would have suggested that VanVleet would opt out and try a bigger contract, or at least seek out the $114 million offer reportedly offered to him. After just one season of fun, VanVleet was unable to shoot the ball, making just 37.7% of his attempts from the field and just 32.9% from three-point range.
VanVleet recently appeared on an episode of The Old Man & The Three hosted by former NBA snipers JJ Redick and Tommy Alter to talk about his struggles this season.
“I think there was definitely an adjustment early in the season in terms of style,” VanVleet said. “Last year everything was free and easy. I think I was able to focus more on the on-ball work, hold the ball the whole game and direct where I want to go. This year it’s changed a bit. .”
Regardless of what caused the off-shot stroke this season, it makes sense for VanVleet to wait until the end of the season to discuss a contract.
For one, if it became clear that he continued to struggle and might not get the kind of contract offer he had sought as a free agent, he could opt-in and earn the same annual average as he did for five years. There is an offer of $114 million anyway, and we will try to restore his value with a strong 2023-24 campaign.
Plus, he’s probably worth less than he used to, so it doesn’t make much sense for VanVleet to try to reopen extension talks at this point in the season. At that point, he probably had a better offer than he does now. For a man who has become synonymous with the term “bet on yourself,” it makes sense that VanVleet would try to maximize his earning potential no matter what.
“So far, it feels like we’ve exceeded that deal,” VanVleet told ESPN. “So I’m just trying to put myself in a position to put the cards in their hands. They had to make decisions from an organizational point of view.
“I love being here. So I’m pretty sure we can find[a deal]we have a great partnership, so it’s not going to be easy for them going forward, and they’re not going to make it easy for me.
Behind this story of VanVleet’s contract status, of course, is the growing shadow of the February 9 NBA trade deadline.
The chatter, which came to light a month before the big day, may make you want to read the tea leaves of the Raptors’ deadline plan, but the latest information from veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein suggests the Raptors are watching. does not imply be a seller.
In his latest newsletter, Stein said no “major sale” would take place in Toronto despite attractive assets including VanVleet at the team’s disposal for use in trades. I got
According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, even Gary Trent Jr., who has been the subject of many trade rumors, is not guaranteed to trade by the deadline.
“I don’t think they (Trent) will trade for sure.” Grange said Tuesday With Sportsnet 590 fans. “I’m sure they will listen.”
There have been many good arguments in favor of trading Trent, and if the Raptors were previously reportedly considering an extension for VanVleet, it’s safe to assume they’re not looking to trade him now. It’s very interesting to come out at the last minute.
The Raptors will have a window to see what their strategy will be around February 9 by opening up their thoughts with VanVleet to the public, rather than a team that leaks a lot of plans whether or not they come to fruition. may become
If they’re not going to trade VanVleet, why trade Pascal Siakam? Or OG Anunoby? Or torrent?
The core of this Raptors team is still made up of talented players, and with one of the easiest schedules remaining in the final 42 games, the front office remains confident on the course it has drawn to date. There are certainly reasons.
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