Toronto Raptors: Whose stock is up/down, including Kyle Lowry’s resurgence

Fred VanVleet – Stock Up

This road-trip out West figures to have helped some players in certain areas. Fred was..underwhelming heading into the games against L.A. and Golden State. His play at times had been great, especially his performance against Milwaukee. But other times, like against Brooklyn, VanVleet is more or less a non-factor.

Fred has been initiating a lot of offense for the bench, and even the starting unit when he’s on the floor with Kyle and Kawhi. That’s all fine and well, but it’s also a disservice to his ability as a spot-up shooter. It’s also a disservice to Delon Wright, who hasn’t had as much of an impact as people would have hoped this season.

With Kawhi sitting out of the first two games of the road trip, VanVleet was promoted to the starting line-up, and the decision paid off. Fred only had five points on 40-percent shooting against the Clippers but had a career-high 14 assists and just two turnovers. While he didn’t shoot much, he did shoot efficiently, and that’s okay, especially when everyone around him is getting theirs.

VanVleet was back in the starting line-up against the Warriors and played an okay game on offense, including 2-3 from three. His impact, however, was felt more on the defensive end. He hounded and chased Steph around all night, pulling him out of his rhythm whenever the two were matched up.

Hopefully, when Kawhi returns Fred will slot back into the bench role, a bench that has struggled significantly this season could use that sort of consistency. Stepping up with the starters is one thing, but bringing the heat for the Mob is where the money is really made. Something Fred did night-in and night-out last year, he wasn’t named a finalist for Sixth-Man of the Year by accident.