Raptors trade rumors: 3 Fred VanVleet suitors after Kyrie Irving trade
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors trade rumors have been flying all over the place in recent weeks, with point guard Fred VanVleet standing out as one of the most desirable assets at the trade deadline. For just one afternoon, however, Kyrie Irving decided to snatch the spotlight away from him.
Irving demanded a trade, with his eyes on getting a max contract in free agency. Because the Brooklyn Nets had the audacity to question the long-term viability of giving a player who has missed nearly half his games in the last four years and posted a link to an anti-Semetic movie on social media, Irving pouted his way to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Nets received a starting point guard in Spencer Dinwiddie, a quality defender in Dorian Finney-Smith, and a first-round pick. All the teams that were in on Irving have to be absolutely furious with themselves, as their inaction helped Dallas make a move for him.
Still, with Kyrie out of the way, VanVleet is now the unquestioned best point guard available. These three teams may not have the league’s most volatile asset on their team right now, but they could pivot and overpay the Raptors for VanVleet out of desperation.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: 3 Fred VanVleet suitors after Kyrie Irving move.
3. Phoenix Suns
With the Suns being linked to Kevin Durant and OG Anunoby, it is very clear that James Jones is going to overturn every stone in the hope of finding a win-now trade that turns Phoenix into a Western Conference contender. Chris Paul is getting long in the tooth, and they need a long-term succession plan.
The Raptors can go down one of two paths with Phoenix on both VanVleet and Anunoby deals, the first of which involves center Deandre Ayton. Both of them would fill positions of need, while Ayton could be a better fit for Toronto’s timeline given his age and double-double skill.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Phoenix needs a PG like Fred VanVleet.
If they go the second route, Cameron Johnson will need to change hands along with a handful of unprotected first-round draft picks. Devin Booker’s prime could end at any second, meaning that Phoenix must stay aggressive now that Dallas has laid their cards on the table.
Monty Williams has already gotten to an NBA Finals with one undersized veteran point guard, and he could do it again with VanVleet. Shams Charania confirming that Phoenix was in on VanVleet only reaffirms the notion that they should push even harder for an acquisition.