NBA rumors: Potential high end Fred VanVleet replacement likely off market

The Toronto Raptors are not necessarily going to be in a position of strength when negotiating with point guard Fred VanVleet. The latest NBA rumors suggest that the point guard market around him isn’t going to be super deep, with only a few players capable of replacing his production.

One of those players is Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell, a potential Raptors trade target once upon a time that was shipped back to LA from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the deadline. A former All-Star, Russell has now been traded four times since 2017.

Russell, who torched Toronto recently, might be willing to settle down long-term in LA, as he has found a team that is in need of his services, willing to compensate him well, and eyeing a championship. As such, LA’s pursuit of Russell will have ripple effects that may not be great for Masai Ujiri and the Raptors.

Jovan Buha of The Athletic hinted in a podcast appearance that the Lakers and Russell have “mutual” interest in getting a deal done that will keep him in Los Angeles long-term. If the Raptors want to spend big on someone who could replace VanVleet, they may have one less option on the table.

NBA rumors: Toronto Raptors target D’Angelo Russell won’t replace Fred VanVleet.

Russell is averaging 18.8 points and 5.9 assists per game while making over 41% of his 3-point attempts with the Lakers. After years of bouncing around the league, the one-time All-Star appears to have settled in nicely as a tertiary gunner on a Lakers team that is banged up right now.

Russell coming off the market might make a VanVleet deal more likely. While the team’s first-round pick could easily be used on a guard with enough athletic potential to come right in and make some noise, they won’t be anywhere near VanVleet in terms of providing an immediate impact.

Russell’s next contract might not be too dissimilar to what VanVleet could end up getting. While VanVleet is the more accomplished player, the fact that Russell is younger, bigger, and has been much more efficient this season might drive the price up for Rob Pelinka.

The Raptors won’t be the only team looking at VanVleet, either.

The VanVleet negotiation is going to be one of the most important that Ujiri and Nurse have ever engaged in, as it will have long-term ramifications that will echo around this franchise for years. While VanVleet may be priority No. 1, the team could be out a very good backup option.