NFL
By: Greg Rector
The Toronto Raptors were busy on the first night of free agency, They lost Fred VanVleet who signed a three-year max deal with the Houston Rockets. They did re-sign center Jakob Poetl to a four-year deal at $80 million a season.
So where do the Toronto Raptors go now at point guard? That will be Scottie Barnes with newly drafted rookie Gradey Dick being the shooting guard alongside Gary Trent Jr. The Toronto Raptors decided on keeping Poetl and that decision means they likely keep both Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. The Raptors replace VanVleet by signing Dennis Schroeder to a two-year deal. I see Schroder as a great option off the bench for the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are going to be led by Scottie Barnes and that’s a given since he was put in the position last season when VanVleet was out with injuries.
VanVleet To Houston
Fred VanVleet is making more per year than:
Anthony Davis
Luka Doncic
Trae Young
Pascal Siakam
Devin Booker
James Harden
Jamal Murray
Brandon Ingram
Ja Morant
Darius Garland
Zion Williamson
SGA
Donovan MitchellI'll always have respect for Fred, but it was time to move on.
— . (@GTJGotNext) July 1, 2023
About 30 minutes before the decision to leave Toronto I stated there wasn’t likely to be a decision coming tonight. I got that wrong by a mile…lol
Fred VanVleet will move to Houston and no longer pay state taxes. He will instantly improve the young Rockets roster by his mere presence. VanVleet is a capable defender and he will teach the young Rockets roster how to steal the ball and of course, deflect passes. VanVleet remains the league winner for free agency money earned all while being an undrafted player.
VanVleet’s offensive numbers won’t need to be high for the Rockets. He has so much young talent to go to the basket for the Rockets. VanVleet can simply make them better on their own end and still put up around his career numbers.
Welcome To Scottie’s Barnes Toronto Raptors World
The young Scottie Barnes will be the new leader on the floor for the Toronto Raptors. His size along with either Gary Trent Jr or Gradey Dick means the days of Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet being two six-foot guards days have finally come to an end.
Scottie Barnes has shown an ability to pass the ball beautifully at times so that’s a positive. Barnes also has the ability to create his own shots. Despite not being a great three-point shooter that aspect improved in his second season. Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby will both be better off with Barnes feeding them passes as well.
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