Fred VanVleet receives four-year, $85 million deal to stay with Toronto Raptors
Fred VanVleet was not selected in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Now, he’s an $85 million man.
Toronto took a chance on him, developed him, and VanVleet turned himself into one of the NBA’s more productive players. VanVleet rewarded Toronto’s faith in him, and the Raptors rewarded VanVleet’s play as the two sides reached a four-year, $85 million deal in free agency, his agent Brian Jungreis told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday.
The 6-foot-1, 26-year-old guard has improved each season in the league, averaging 11 points and 4.8 assists in Toronto’s 2018-19 championship season and averaging 17.6 points and 6.6 assists while shooting 39% on 3-pointers in 2019-20.
He is a pivotal part of the Raptors, and he earned the contract. The Raptors are trying to keep their core of Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam and VanVleet together while adding around them.
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After winning the title in 2019, the Raptors lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Raptors will play in Tampa, Florida, this season due to COVID-19 restrictions in Canada.