3 Raptors who could increase trade value in January and February

1. PG Fred VanVleet

While Gary Trent Jr. might be the most tradeable of the team’s starters and OG Anunoby’s offseason frustrations with the offense could be starting to bubble up once again, trading away VanVleet might be the best way for Toronto to add an impactful long-term player and recouping a haul of draft picks in return.

VanVleet is shooting just under 37% from the field since last season’s All-Star break, but he is still one of the game’s best passers and on-ball point guard defenders. Be it a championship contender looking for one more star or a young team eyeing a veteran leader, VanVleet can fit with many different teams all across the league.

The Toronto Raptors could trade Fred VanVleet.

The contract situation surrounding VanVleet has made the decision to keep him long-term less of a slam dunk than it was previously. While he denied reports of turning down a four-year, $114 million extension, that will likely be what he will command on the open market. With Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes cashing in soon, that’s a big commitment to make.

VanVleet did an excellent job of getting teams to look at him once more in an overtime win against the Knicks, as his 33 points and eight assists made him look like the All-Star point guard who helped make the Raptors a 48-win team. If the Raptors are still around .500 at the deadline and VanVleet’s play has improved, teams will be tripping over themselves to acquire him.