Raptors: Where does Fred VanVleet rank among East point guards?

The Toronto Raptors are making a huge change at point guard this season, as the end of the Kyle Lowry era means that Fred VanVleet is in line to succeed him as the team’s point guard following Lowry’s magnificent near-decade at the helm.

VanVleet’s 19.6 points and 6.3 assists per game, numbers that are a bit of a misnomer considering how he was hampered with injuries in the latter part of the season, gave the Raptors plenty of confidence that he will be able to take over Lowry’s responsibilities on both ends of the floor.

Unfortunately for both VanVleet and a Raptors team that is in flux right now, the East is currently full of tremendous starting point guards in almost every direction. VanVleet will get his biggest taste yet of the elite competition that Lowry was going up against for years.

For the purposes of this list, each team’s projected starting point guard will be considered, with their play over the last few years and potential heading into 2021 serving as the deciding factor. Where does VanVleet rank when compared to some of his rivals in the East?

Where does Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet rank among East PGs?

15. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic (Rookie)

Suggs, who the Raptors passed on in favor of Scottie Barnes, might be down at the bottom right now, but his skill set could help him push Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz down the depth chart as he tries to show that he is one of the better young ball-handlers in the game in Orlando.

14. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Rookie)

Cunningham, like Suggs, will need to earn his stripes in the NBA before the Pistons savior can be placed any higher. If his college career at Oklahoma State is any indication of what Detroit can expect, gear up for a swift rise up this list.

13. Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls

Ball might have signed with the Bulls on a hefty multi-year contract, and his defense is sharp, but the shooting issues that plagued him in Los Angeles and New Orleans haven’t totally been erased just yet, and that will make it hard for him to be placed higher up on this list.

12. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

Garland is one of the best-kept secrets in the league, as his 17 points and six assists per game show that he could be capable of leading a Cleveland turnaround. If everything gels this year, Garland could start to gain more respect around the NBA.

11. Spencer Dinwiddie, Washington Wizards

While Dinwiddie played in just a handful of games due to his ACL injury, Dinwiddie was a 20 point per game scorer when he was last healthy during his Nets tenure. With tons of open shots coming his way in Washington, Dinwiddie could make his three-year contract look like a bargain.

10. Dennis Schroder, Boston Celtics

Schroder is coming off of perhaps the worst season of his career and a major bag-fumbling after leaving the Lakers, but he is just a year removed from almost winning Sixth Man of the Year. Boston should help him get back on the right track.

9. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo has the privilege of leapfrogging older brother Lonzo on this list, as the Rookie of the Year gave Charlotte the juice, pizzazz, and scoring punch they needed. Having said that, a sophomore slump could be coming for Ball if he doesn’t keep improving.

8. Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers

Averaging 21 points, five rebounds, and six assists per game on 45% shooting shouldn’t fly under the radar, but Brodgon’s borderline All-Star production managed to do just that. If Rick Carlisle gets Indiana back to the postseason, the NBA world will know Brogdon’s name.

7. Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors

For all of the concerns about his shooting percentages, VanVleet is one of the best two-way guards in the game today. With a year of increased volume and production, VanVleet might have all the tools needed to get Toronto to the postseason.

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6. Kemba Walker, New York Knicks

Kemba’s down year last season made it tough to put him over VanVleet, but if 19 points and five assists per game as a third scoring option represents a down year, that bodes well for Walker. Returning to his hometown in New York, Kemba will get plenty of shots as the Robin to Julius Randle’s Batman.

5. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

We like making fun of Simmons’ inability to even try to shoot as much as the next guy or gal, but he is a three-time All-Star, one of the best defenders in the game, and an elite passer. That’s not a bad resume for a point guard of his age.

4. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks

Holiday wasn’t just along for the ride as Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee to a title, as his impeccable defense and timely clutch shooting made him the perfect tertiary scorer for that team. VanVleet should’ve watched Holiday’s run in the postseason and studied his film closely.

3. Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat

Even after all of these years, Lowry was one of the few success stories on a Raptors team that was unable to replicate their success of the last decade. We’ll miss you, Kyle. Go win a ring in Miami alongside Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and the rest of the Heat’s talented cast.

2. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Young was a high-volume scorer on some bad Atlanta teams early in his career, but last year was when he proved that he could still put up those insane scoring numbers and lead his team to postseason success. Expect more of the same from Young this season with a revamped supporting cast.

1. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets

While Irving and James Harden split ball-handling duties, Kyrie gets selected for this list. One of the best ball-handlers and finishers the game has ever seen, Irving will once again go for a title alongside Harden and Kevin Durant. VanVleet will be charged with locking him down, though he has his work cut out for him.