Toronto Raptors: Five candidates to steal Fred VanVleet this free agency

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TORONTO, ON – December 17: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Frank Mason III #10 of the Sacramento Kings defends during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on December 17, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Sacramento Kings

With De’Aaron Fox already on the roster, any offer to Fred VanVleet would likely need to be for a backup position. That won’t necessarily stop Sacramento from entering a major offer sheet.

The Kings best bench guard is Frank Mason, after the team passed on guard/forward Luka Doncic in favor of power-forward Marvin Bagley III. VanVleet would provide an instant upgrade as both a backup point guard, as well as, someone who can play alongside Fox for a dual point guard look. At 6’3″ with a 6’6″ wingspan, Fox is not an ideal option to guard opposing shooting guard, but with his elite athleticism and defensive effort, he can handle the job part-time.

Another factor that must be taken into consideration whenever talking about the Sacramento Kings, is uncertainty. To be frank, no-one knows what Vlade Divac and Vivek Ranadivé will do next, including the possibility of making an exorbitant offer to Fred VanVleet. Last season, after drafting De’Aaron Fox fifth overall, the team signed George Hill to a three-year $57 million contract.

Sacramento will enter this offseason with between $14-17 million in cap-space, and with few rumors of where it will be spent, the Kings might be a Fred VanVleet sleeper.