Top 3 most disappointing Raptors as All-Star break comes closer

1. Fred VanVleet

VanVleet has become a lightning rod for Raptors fans, as his roller-coaster play and penchant for hogging the ball on occasion is viewed as a detriment to both the overall success of the team and the development of expected franchise player Scottie Barnes.

VanVleet is still shooting worse than 40% from the field, and many a Raptors game has ended with Barnes narrowly in the positive in the plus-minus category while VanVleet is in the red. VanVleet’s offensive production is serviceable as a No. 3 option, but paying him close to $130 million over four years and making him a de facto co-star could scare some fans away.

Fred VanVleet must be a leader for the Toronto Raptors.

The encouraging thing for Raptors fans is that VanVleet has been white hot over the last few weeks, averaging 25 points per game while rediscovering his 3-point shot. If he plays like this, signing him to a nine-figure deal will not be as vomit-inducing as it appears to a certain subset of this fanbase.

When everything is clicking, VanVleet can be a terrific offensive player that plays a significant role on a team with championship aspirations. However, the Raptors need to transition to an era led by Siakam and Barnes. As long as VanVleet is resisting that change, the Raptors might find it difficult to compete for championships.