Fred VanVleet Sounds off on Being a Toronto Raptor Lifer

Fred VanVleet has spent his entire NBA career up north with the Toronto Raptor, winning a title in 2019 and becoming the first undrafted free agent to earn an All-Star bid this past season.

The Wichita State product has two years remaining in his four-year deal (player option for the fourth year) and is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 8. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Raptors are looking to negotiate a three-four-year max extension. VanVleet himself has made it clear that he wants to stay in Toronto and be a Raptor lifer when he retires.

“I love being a Raptor,” VanVleet said in an interview with Daily Hive. “I would love to spend my entire career here. We have a great relationship with the city, the franchise, ownership, and management — it’s a match made in heaven for me. I love being a Toronto Raptor.”

VavVleet had a career-best year nearly across the board, posting 20.3 points. 4.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game on 40.3 percent shooting from the field and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc. The strong numbers came from VanVleet thriving in a more significant role following the departure of Kyle Lowry, who was sent to Miami in a sign-and-trade deal last summer.

With that being said, the feeling is mutual for VanVleet and the Raptors to continue their relationship. In fact, VanVleet is confident his team and the Raptors can agree to an extension.

“I’m not really too worried about contract discussions or anything like that,” VanVleet said. “That’s just the business aspect of it. And I’m confident that we’ll figure it out.”

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