Raptors make VanVleet rich
Fred VanVleet bet on himself. It paid off.
Gordon Hayward, meanwhile, is heading to a new home.
VanVleet agreed Saturday to a four-year, $85 million contract to remain with the Toronto Raptors, a person with direct knowledge of the discussions told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract remains unsigned. The fourth year of the contract is at VanVleet’s option.
The Charlotte Hornets have wanted Hayward for years. On Saturday, they finally landed him, according to Priority Sports, the agency that represents the veteran forward. A person with knowledge of the terms, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been signed, told the AP that Hayward will sign a fouryear contract worth $120 million. ESPN first reported the agreement between Hayward and the Hornets.
VanVleet, the undrafted guard from Wichita State, has played a huge role in the Raptors’ recent successes, most importantly their run to the 2019 NBA championship. He has set career bests in scoring by wide margins in each of the last three seasons, that number rising to 17.6 points per game this past season.
Keeping VanVleet was of major importance to the Raptors, who have won at least 50 games in the last five seasons — by far the longest current streak in the NBA. Milwaukee has a two-year such streak, and the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers reached the 50-win mark last season.
It also fulfilled a VanVleet prophecy: He famously went undrafted four years ago, then passed on some low-money deals that he figured wouldn’t pan into much.
“I turned those down. I bet on myself,” VanVleet told friends and family on what would have been his draft night, a festive occasion that turned disappointing when the call from the NBA never came.
Hayward turned down a $34 million option for this season with Boston, and now the Celtics are seeing him walk away.
A breakdown of Saturday’s moves:
• Former Texas Longhorn
Tristan Thompson agreed on a two-year, $19 million contract to join the Celtics — ending his nineyear stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a person with knowledge of the deal told the AP.
• The Lakers agreed to re-sign guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a threeyear, $40 million contract, keeping one of their most valuable players from this year’s championship run in purple and gold.
• Guard Rajon Rondo agreed to a two-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told AP.
The Hawks agreed with guard Kris Dunn earlier Saturday on a two-year contract worth $10 million, a second person told AP.
• Paul Millsap is staying with the Denver Nuggets on a one-year deal that will be worth around $10 million, a person with knowledge told AP.
• The Miami Heat agreed to a two-year deal starting at $5.9 million for this season with top defensive guard Avery Bradley, agent Charles Briscoe said.
Also, Moe Harkless agreed to a $3.6 million contract, a person with knowledge told AP.
• Priority Sports announced that Bobby Portis, who averaged 10.1 points last season for New York, agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Later Saturday, Milwaukee and guard D.J. Augustin agreed on a three-year contract. ESPN said that deal was worth $21 million.
• Michael Carter-Williams is returning to the Orlando Magic on a twoyear contrac.
• Dwight Howard became the first announced free-agent signing of this offseason, completing his one-year, $2.6 million deal with Philadelphia..
• Forward Jae Crowder, a big part of Miami’s run last season to the NBA Finals, agreed on a threeyear contract that will be worth nearly $30 million to join the Phoenix Suns.
• Carmelo Anthony is coming back for an 18th season, agreeing on a one-year deal to remain with the Trail Blazers.
Portland gave Anthony an opportunity to extend his career last season and he rewarded the Blazers by starting all 58 of his appearances and averaging 15.4 points.