(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors seem to be one team heading for a rebuild.
After winning the NBA championship in 2019, the Raptors have not been the same since Kawhi Leonard left.
Some of their top players over the past few years have been Fred Van Vleet and Pascal Siakam.
But one of their cornerstone pieces is set to become a free agent this offseason.
According to Bleacher Report, Van Vleet is declining his player option and will become an unrestricted free agent.
Fred Van Vleet is declining his $22.8M player option and will become an unrestricted free agent, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/lncJj81e1K
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 12, 2023
Van Vleet will be a highly targeted player on the open market.
He will certainly get more than the $22.8 million he declined in his player option.
Many point guard-needy teams should be interested in the former All-Star.
Some of the teams that should be interested are the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets.
It will be interesting to see if Van Vleet prioritizes winning or money.
Signing with a team like the Rockets could pay Van Vleet more but they would not be an immediate contender.
If he went to Philadelphia or Phoenix he would have a great chance to win a title for less.
The Sixers are especially interesting because they might be losing point guard James Harden in free agency.
Also, the Sixers just hired former Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.
Even though it would be tricky to fit Van Vleet into their salary cap the Sixers could make it work.
While Van Vleet is not the most efficient player he has proven to be a winning player.
It will be a fun offseason in the NBA, especially seeing where Van Vleet will end up.
The post Raptors All-Star Set To Become A Free Agent appeared first on The Cold Wire.