Drake responds to 'look-alike' Fred VanVleet's exit from Toronto

After seven seasons, an All-Star nod and an NBA title, Fred VanVleet left the Toronto Raptors for the Houston Rockets in free agency earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, Raptors mega-fan and award-winning recording artist Drake weighed in on VanVleet's franchise-shifting departure. 

Commenting on VanVleet's Instagram farewell post to Toronto, Drake congratulated him before having a little fun with the former Raptors guard. 

"My look alike... the love is forever. Thank you for your character and your contributions over the years. The city will never forget!" Drake wrote. "Good luck with everything on the Guangdong Dragons... I mean the Rockets." 

In response to Drake, VanVleet said simply, "Relax." However, VanVleet had much more to say to the Raptors' faithful. In his goodbye post, the 29-year-old thanked Toronto for believing in a "young kid" with big dreams. 

"I went from the fans not knowing who I was, to fan favorite, to most hated, and I'm thankful for every second of it," VanVleet wrote. "To the city, franchise, and country that watched me grow every step of the way - thank you."

VanVleet has come a long way since failing to hear his name called during the 2016 NBA Draft. After averaging 19.3 points and 7.2 assists in 2022-23, VanVleet inked a three-year, $130 million deal with the Rockets, the most lucrative contract signed by an undrafted player in NBA history. 

Now, VanVleet is off to Houston to join a young Houston Rockets team, where he'll be the veteran leading a starting lineup that will likely include Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith and Aperen Sengun.