Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors are struggling. That is pretty much established by now. They had a decent enough start to the season despite a number of injuries, but they haven’t hit that next gear. Instead, they have somehow gotten worse and look like a team that has lost its identity over the past few weeks.
It is pretty clear that some changes are needed. There are some areas of immediate need. Rim protection and shooting are two areas where the Raptors have disappointed this season, likely due to the constraints being placed on Nick Nurse by the ill-fated roster construction.
Early on in the season, it had looked like they had put their shooting woes behind them and improved in that area. That optimism did not last long, though. Once again, they are struggling with their shot, especially from 3-point range. They are 27th in the league in terms of FG% and 29th in terms of 3-point percentage.
There is a real danger that the Raptors might miss out on a playoff spot this season, something that has rarely happened over the past decade. Thus, it might be time to make some tough decisions for the franchise and move on some players, who have given a lot to this team over the years. One of them might be VanVleet.
Fred VanVleet took 11 3's vs. the 76ers and made 2. Of those shots:
— Amit Mann (@Amit_Mann) December 20, 2022
8 were open to wide open
4 went in and out
Raptors need him to hit 5+ in games like that.
Will the Toronto Raptors part ways with Fred VanVleet?
The undrafted point guard has become a cult hero amongst the Raptors’ supporters over the years and is one of the faces of the franchise. He even got an All-Star nomination just last season. Not too long ago, most fans expected him to be handed an extension.
The reality of the current situation though is that VanVleet is playing some of the most underwhelming basketball of his career right now. An undersized point guard, who is also 29 years of age and does not have any exceptional athletic abilities might be an overly attractive trade asset despite his recent All-Star honors.
Recent rumors have suggested that Orlando Magic could make a move for VanVleet, and the Raptors could find some value there. With FVV shooting just 38% from the field, the list of suitors who would both acquire him and pay him is dropping quickly.
A package involving Mo Bamba, a young guard like Cole Anthony, a veteran shooter like Gary Harris, and some top draft capital for VanVleet could be worth considering, as it would help solve a lot of the Raptors’ current problems while also not bringing in any long-term contracts into the fray.
Fred VanVleet in 50 games pre 2021-22 All-Star Break:
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) December 20, 2022
21.6 PTS
4.6 REB
7.0 AST
4.0 3P
41.9/40.1/87.4% splits
In 44 games since (incl. playoffs):
17.3 PTS
3.8 REB
6.0 AST
2.8 3P
36.5/31.3/86.9% splits
It does sound unlikely at this point in time, but stranger things have happened in the NBA, especially when teams need to shake up their respective rosters.