The Raptors and Fred VanVleet seem well on their way to reaching an agreement on a four-year contract extension that could approach $ 120 million in total value, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
VanVleet, who will be eligible for the extension this offseason, will earn $ 21.25 million in 2022/23 and has a $ 22.82 million player option for 2023/24. If he declined that option, he could sign a four-year extension worth up to $ 114.24 million, so Fischer’s $ 120 million projection looks a bit high.
Still, it looks like the Raptors will be prepared to offer VanVleet the maximum amount he can receive in an extension. The All-Star base would be eligible for a more lucrative contract if he plays the 22/23 season and then rejects his player option to become a free agent next summer. But an extension worth $ 28.5 million a year that closes it to the age of 33 can be hard to pass up.
Here’s more about the Raptors:
- According to Fischer, it looks like Thaddeus Young will remain in Toronto, potentially with a two-year contract worth at least $ 10 million. Young was acquired by the San Antonio Raptors in a trade deal in February.
- Young is one of the Raptors ’two key free agents this offseason, along with the great Chris Boucher. Zach Kram of The Ringer explains why he considers Boucher the most interesting free agent on the market for his unusual combination of skills and physical traits.
- The Raptors and Bulls are among the teams that appear to be interested in Magic’s great man Mohamed Bamba, Fischer reports. However, Bamba will be a restricted free agent and may not leave Orlando: he and the Magic are motivated to reach a new deal, sources tell Fischer.
- Considering possible landing sites for the Suns ’restricted free agent center, Deandre Ayton, Fischer notes that the Raptors continue to monitor the availability of a handful of older men, including jazz star Rudy Gobert. While Ayton may also be on the team’s radar, Toronto will have no limit space and could only acquire him through signing and trading.