Ranking the Toronto Raptors roster based on their current contracts

No. 3: Fred VanVleet

Season Win Shares: 2.2          Current cap-figure: $8.7 million

After signing a two-year contract extension last offseason, Fred VanVleet has been relied upon heavily in recent weeks.

As the team’s Sixth Man of the Year candidate, VanVleet has been forced into the starting lineup multiple times with injuries to Lowry and Leonard. In their stead, the guard has continued the team’s success.

In his 15 starts replacing one or both of the two leaders of the team, the Raptors have gone 12-3. Wins have even come directly from the shooting stroke of VanVleet:

https://twitter.com/FantasyFactor/status/1075640479071367169

Overall, VanVleet has taken a modest step forward in production with increased scoring (10.5 points per game), facilitating (4.5 assists) and a career-high mark in three-point makes per game (1.7). With his impact raising, so, to have his minutes, presently at a career-high 26.8 per game.

When analyzing VanVleet’s contract of $8.6 million this year, it helps to add context. Among other premier SMOY candidates, his contract is similar.

Lou Williams, the league’s poster child for sixth men, is making $8 million this year while Pelicans’ big man Julius Randle is earning a nearly identical $8.6 million while splitting his time between the starting lineup and the bench.

Though both contribute more in the box score, VanVleet has shown the ability to be a lockdown defender in the late stretches of games, a trait not possessed by either of his counterparts.

His value to the Raptors may be higher than many teams, but that’s just fine for the brass of the franchise.