Raptors news: Fred VanVleet’s chances of Raptors return, top wing prospect worked out

The Toronto Raptors have two marquee free agents poised to hit the free agent market in Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet. While both players went into the offseason expected to decline their player options and test the market, VanVleet’s camp has leased that he will officially not opt in.

VanVleet might be the more likely of the two players to leave at this point, as Trent is a younger, less expensive player that Toronto could more easily fit into their salary cap. VanVleet will have quite a healthy market, though the idea of signing his potential last huge payday with the Raptors has dissipated.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski in his reporting on Fred’s intentions, VanVleet “hasn’t ruled out negotiating” with the Raptors. Some might read this as generic free agent speak, but there is a good chance that VanVleet signaled his intentions as free agency picks up.

Being “willing to negotiate” makes it seem like he already has one foot out the door, though the Raptors could potentially get him back to the table at some point in the near future. The idea of VanVleet bolting for greener pastures has never been more realistic for Raptors fans eyeing a change of scenery.

More Raptors news

• The Raptors worked out Michigan wing Jett Howard, who is the son of former NBA great and current Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard. While his stock has dropped slightly since the beginning of the pre-draft process, Howard would still be a fine No. 13 pick due to his shooting and solid perimeter scoring.
• Toronto will invite Ignas Brazdeikis, a former Michigan star who spent time with the Knicks and Magic as a backup small forward, to their mini-camp. Brazdeikis, who is still just 24 years old, will join the Raptors after he finishes celebrating with Lithuanian side Zalgiris Kaunas.

NBA news

• The Denver Nuggets won the first NBA championship in the first of the franchise, as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led them to a very tight 94-89 win against the Miami Heat. Jokic led the way again with 28 points while finalizing his averaging of a triple-double in the postseason.
• Jokic was named the MVP of the 2023 NBA Finals, having averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game against Miami. Jokic has quite the all-time resume, as he has a championship ring, Finals MVP, and two MVP awards (that many think should have been three).