NBA Trades: 12 stars that will likely change teams by next season
By Cal Durrett
NBA Star #2: Fred VanVleet
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet previously went undrafted, but after becoming an all-star-caliber player, he could capitalize this summer. Although VanVleet is technically a free agent, a couple of teams could seek to sign and trade for him. Both the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers appear to have interest in VanVleet, and each could use a new starting point guard.
VanVleet would be a capable replacement for either team. In fact, the Sixers just hired former Raptors coach Nick Nurse, who helped turn VanVleet into an all-star. Between those teams, Philadelphia has more assets and a tradeable salary to make a sign-and-trade possible.
There are also other teams that could sign him as a free agent outright, including the Orlando Magic and the San Antonio Spurs. Both teams could afford to pay him the $100 million-plus contract that he will probably seek.
Then again, both teams are up and coming, and he is an undersized point guard who is nearly 30, so it wouldn’t be a perfect fit. Still, the odds of him leaving Toronto appear very high, though whether he will be signed and traded is questionable.