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Toronto Raptors: Ranking Raptors players in 2018-19

By Jordan Fleguel

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Fred VanVleet (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

#8 Fred VanVleet

On this list, and at times on the court, Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright are basically interchangeable.  VanVleet gets the edge here because of the intangibles he brings to the team, and the tough-minded energy he provides.

Re-signing VanVleet was the Raptors management’s top priority in the off-season, and it’s easy to see why.  As an undrafted 24-year-old, VanVleet burst onto the scene last year and played as if he was a ten-year veteran.

His teammates praised his calming and composed presence on the court, and it was he who played in the fourth quarter of close games alongside the starters because of his ability to make the right play.  He shot over 40-percent from the three-point line last year and was a finalist for the six-man of the year award.

When VanVleet was inactive for four games due to injury during the Raptors’ first-round series against Washington last year, his teammates, who were so used to him handling the ball late in games, said that they struggled without his leadership and poise.

VanVleet should continue to make those around him better this year, and it will be even easier now that he has a couple of NBA champions as teammates

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