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Toronto Raptors: What are the chances Fred VanVleet leaves this summer?

By Mark Birdsell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 12, 2020 in New York City.Brooklyn Nets defeated the Toronto Raptors 101-91. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 12, 2020 in New York City.Brooklyn Nets defeated the Toronto Raptors 101-91. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons need help just about everywhere. They traded Andre Drummond. The Pistons are finally out from under Reggie Jackson’s five-year, $80 million contract. They have only eight players under contract for next season and just need to acquire some talent.

Blake Griffin has two years and more than $75 million remaining on his deal. Given Griffin’s injury history, his contract will be untradeable, unless the Pistons attach another asset.

Luke Kennard is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension. But the Pistons reportedly made Kennard available at the trade deadline. It doesn’t appear that management views him as part of the future.

Derrick Rose had a nice bounce-back season. Rose will be 32 at the start of next season. At this stage of his career, Rose is more of a role player. He is no longer the league MVP.

Christian Wood is a name to watch. Wood is an unrestricted free agent. He averaged 21.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 12 games as a starter. Wood figures to be one of the most coveted names on the market this offseason. As a result, the Pistons may see him walk out the door.

VanVleet is an interesting fit with the Pistons for several reasons. The most obvious of which is the Pistons need a starting point guard. VanVleet may not have the same name recognition as Lonzo Ball or De’Aaron Fox, but he is one of the best young point guards in the NBA.

Another big reason is Dwane Casey, the Pistons’ head coach. Casey was VanVleet’s first coach in the NBA. Casey allowed VanVleet to go from the end of the bench to a consistent contributor.

The Raptors still run a lot of the same offensive sets that they did under Casey. As such, the transition for VanVleet shouldn’t be too difficult. He already knows most of the Pistons’ playbook. He could step in from day one and run the show. There wouldn’t be much of a learning curve.

However, in order for the Pistons to be a serious threat to the Raptors, they would have to significantly overpay VanVleet.

Kyle Lowry is near the end of his career. VanVleet knows he is the point guard of the future in Toronto. VanVleet isn’t going to leave one of the best teams in the NBA to go to a rebuilding Pistons squad unless they back up the brinks truck.

It probably takes a four-year $100 million to $110 million contract to get VanVleet to seriously consider the Pistons. With the Raptors trying to maintain financial flexibility for the summer of 2021, that might be too rich for the team to match.