Fred VanVleet 'not shy' about trying to get paid big money in free agency

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet is receiving plenty of interest from teams around the NBA this offseason, and now he's making his intentions entering free agency very clear. 

VanVleet, who helped lead the Raptors to a championship in 2019, admitted that he'll be looking for a big-money deal in free agency.

"I'm trying to get paid, man. I'm not shy about that," VanVleet recently told JJ Redick on"The Old Man and the Three" podcast. "I don't have to tell people that I value winning. Like, just look at my story, do your research, I've never been on a losing team in my entire life. ... I won a championship and now it's time to cash out. I'm 26. ... I'm only four years in (to his NBA career) but I feel like I'm on the verge of blossoming even more, with more of a lead role."

VanVleet has emerged as one of the NBA's better two-way guards since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016. While he did make $9.3 million last season, he's certainly due for a hefty raise and could potentially double his salary. 

The Raptors could keep him around, though other suitors may be able to offer him more money than Toronto can. The Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns are expected to pursue VanVleet once the free-agency negotiation window opens next week. 

VanVleet was one of Toronto's best players last season, averaging 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game during the regular season -- all career bests. With Kyle Lowry entering his age-35 season, Toronto may want to pull out all the stops in order to keep VanVleet around for the long run. 

No matter what Toronto does, they'll have to show VanVleet the money. The 26-year-old admitted that "the numbers do play a big part" in making a decision on where he'll play next. So if the Raptors aren't going to hand him the bag, someone else certainly will.