NBA free agency is a time during which young players have an opportunity to secure the bag after years of hard work and paying their dues.
On Friday, the first day of free agency this summer, a star point guard has certainly secured the bag, and it’s a big one at that.
Fred VanVleet is leaving the Toronto Raptors to join the Houston Rockets, and he will do so on a three-year contract that is reportedly worth $130 million.
It is a huge payday for a player who is a good one, but not a true All-Star, let alone a superstar.
Free agent G Fred VanVleet has agreed on a three-year, $130 million contract with the Houston Rockets, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul and agent Erika Ruiz tell ESPN. Rockets land ex-Raptors All-Star in his prime at 29 years old. pic.twitter.com/B6WwPmLYq1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
People across the league are amazed at VanVleet’s newfound wealth.
From undrafted to $130 mil. Legend https://t.co/WCy7Sbgkia
— Flaming Hot Takes (@TheyAlreadyKnew) July 1, 2023
He went undrafted in 2016 after four solid but unspectacular years at Wichita State University, and he played a mere 7.9 minutes a game and averaged just 2.9 points a game as a rookie.
It wasn’t until his third season that he started to tap into his potential.
That year he put up 11.0 points and 4.8 assists a game, and he was a key contributor to a Raptors team that won the NBA championship that year.
This fan is happy VanVleet is getting wealthy, but he wants the guard to improve a key aspect of his game.
I don’t care. I love it. Undersized but good defender. Rockets weren’t competing anyway. He’s a solid piece as they grow together. Makes them more competitive so that they get better reps together. Let’s go.
— Spud Koobidehjanian 🏀 (@spudbball) July 1, 2023
VanVleet made 37.7 percent of his 3-point attempts last season, but this season he went down to 34.2 percent in that category.
These two fans flat-out don’t like the deal the Illinois native just got from Houston.
Worst contract in sports history. Oh my goodness
— Austin Zuck (@austinzuck_) July 1, 2023
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
— Dani (@Danizeh) July 1, 2023
While the rebuilding Raptors are losing a key piece, the young Rockets are gaining someone who should make them more competitive.
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