Report: Suns among teams expected to pursue Raptors’ Fred VanVleet
Aug 24, 2020, 12:06 PM | Updated: 11:28 pm
(Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
(Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
The Phoenix Suns will reportedly be one of three known teams pursuing Toronto Raptors guard and soon-to-be free agent Fred VanVleet this offseason.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday the Suns, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are “expected to emerge as suitors” for VanVleet’s services outside of the Raptors.
VanVleet has spent four seasons with the Raptors. In his last two years with the team, he’s averaged 14 points, 5.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds over 118 games (82 starts). VanVleet posted a 41.2% shooting percentage, while firing off 38.5% from deep in that span.
VanVleet’s play has been on full display while Toronto navigates the NBA playoffs in the bubble. In the team’s first-round sweep over the Brooklyn Nets, the guard averaged 21.3 points, 7.8 assists and four rebounds per game.
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He signed a two-year, $18 million deal in 2018 and is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, some league executives believe the four-year, $85 million deal Malcolm Brogdon got from the Indiana Pacers last summer will set the market for VanVleet.
VanVleet could provide the Suns with a one-two punch at point guard with Ricky Rubio signed through the 2021-22 season and act as Rubio’s successor if a long-term deal is reached.
