Some Members Of Raptors ‘Shocked’ Fred VanVleet Joined Rockets

Many members of the Toronto Raptors were shocked Fred VanVleet didn’t stay with the franchise and signed with the Houston Rockets, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

VanVleet signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the Rockets on the first day of free agency.

“Fred VanVleet’s departure did come as a shock to many within the Raptors organization, sources said, and there is a sense that more moves are on the horizon for Toronto,” Siegel wrote.

VanVleet averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists last season for the Raptors. He shot 39.3% from the floor, 34.2% from beyond the arc and 89.8% from the free-throw line. Michael Grange of Sportsnet reported that VanVleet and Pascal Siakam weren’t happy.

The Raptors won only 41 games in 2022-23. They lost the 9-10 play-in game at home to the Chicago Bulls and didn’t qualify for the 2023 postseason and Nick Nurse was fired as head coach after the season ended.

VanVleet, who is an undrafted player out of Wichita State, has career averages of 14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. The Illinois native captured the 2019 championship with the Raptors over the Golden State Warriors in six games.

The Rockets won only 22 games last season. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2020. New head coach Ime Udoka wants to establish a winning culture in Houston and adding VanVleet will help that cause since the guard is a proven winner who can score and facilitate at a high level.

VanVleet knows many people think the Rockets overpaid to get him, which is why he’s motivated to prove his doubters wrong.

“They don’t want me to be anybody but myself,” VanVleet said. “And I know people are crazy about the number, but the league is growing every year and that number won’t be that number in a few years. So I know it’s a shock factor with the narrative that I have around me as an undrafted guy, but I’m going to work every day to make sure I prove every penny.”