Raptors winners and losers after interesting 2023 NBA Draft night

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Gradey Dick (R) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted 13th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 31: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Loser: The Anti-Fred VanVleet crowd.

While the Raptors are preparing to potentially lose VanVleet in free agency due to his contract demands, they have already made it very clear they intend to pursue him with a competitive offer. The Dick pick did not do a ton to placate those who don’t want VanVleet to return.

Dick is many things, but a ball-handling point guard is not one of them. Rather than grabbing a player like Keyonte George or Jalen Hood-Schifino, who was picked No. 16 and No. 17 overall by the Jazz and Lakers, respectively, Toronto went after an off-ball guard who can’t replace VanVleet.

Will Fred VanVleet return to the Toronto Raptors?

If VanVleet leaves, the best options for Toronto are to spend whenever cap space that they acquire with VanVleet leaving on a new point guard or lean fully into the Scottie Barnes at PG experiment. Jeff Dowtin and Malachi Flynn are a very uninspiring collection of backups.

Toronto seems to be willing to run it back this season, albeit with a much better shooter in Dick on the roster this go-around. As such, fans praying that VanVleet starts his next chapter away from Toronto might need to look at their recent enemy in Raptors colors for the next few years.

Next. 7 worst free agents in Toronto Raptors history. dark

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