“3-Year $130,000,000 Deal”: Rockets’ Bold Contract for NBA Champion Ranks Raptors As “Losers”, Claims Veteran Analyst

The 2023 NBA offseason has seen some shocking moves from franchises. While some teams strengthened their roster, some completely changed the direction that their franchise was heading in. The Houston Rockets were a lottery pick bound team for the past few years. After drafting talented youngsters in the previous years, the Rockets decided to make some noise in the offseason. In an attempt to get back into playoff contention, they signed the former NBA Champion with the Toronto Raptors, Fred VanVleet during free agency.

VanVleet went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. But soon after, he was picked up by the Toronto Raptors. After playing 7 seasons for the Raptors and also winning a historic championship in 2019, VanVleet made history this offseason. With a 3 year $130M deal with the Rockets, the 29 year old signed the biggest deal by an undrafted player in league history. However, veteran analyst, Tim Bontemps did not seem pleased with the Raptors’ position after this deal.

Tim Bontemps rates Raptors as losers

After the Raptors’ historic championship run in 2019, the franchise lost a lot of their core players. Kawhi Leonard, the Finals MVP for their championship, asked out of the franchise. Kyle Lowry got traded to the Miami Heat after the disappointing 2020-21 season. The one core piece that remained loyal to the franchise however, was Fred VanVleet.

VanVleet became the face of the Raptors’ franchise after Lowry’s departure. However, at the end of the 2022-23 season, VanVleet’s contract with the franchise had expired. He entered into free agency gaining a lot of traction. With several teams wanting to sign the Wichita State alum, the Rockets pounced on the opportunity and offered him a lucrative deal. However, the Raptors gained nothing out of this deal, in fact, losing one of their franchise cornerstones.

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In a recent segment on ESPN, analysts discussed the “Winners and Losers” of this year’s offseason. In this discussion, veteran NBA analyst Tim Bontemps rated the Toronto Raptors as losers. “I think this has been a culmination of a few years of really rough moves for them,” he said.

Talking about VanVleet, Bontemps opined, “They had an opportunity to trade Fred VanVleet, they did not…they did not keep him.….when we first heard the news that he was signing a $120M deal in Houston…..whatever the reason, to me, it’s sort of irrelevant.”

He also talked about the Raptors’ front office’s previous shortcomings. “I just don’t really know what direction they’re going in,” he stated.

Bontemps stated why the Raptors were losers according to him. However, he soon mentioned why their future is also very concerning

Raptors in a questionable position

After losing Fred VanVleet to free agency, the Raptors are in a tough spot. Their starting point guard had just left their side. They quickly signed former Los Angeles Lakers guard, Dennis Schröder to replace the 29 year old. However, their decisions for the future of the franchise still hangs in the balance.

In the same segment on ESPN, Bontemps also had a few words about the Raptors’ current situation. “Now you’ve got O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam one year away from free agency….at some point you have to look at what Toronto is doing and just go what is the point of the path that you’re on,” he strongly stated.

“There’s not any clear direction that’s being taken….they’re [San Antonio Spurs] gonna get probably the 8th, 9th, 10th pick in the draft, From Toronto. It’s hard for me to look at this if you’re a Raptors fan this summer and think things are in a good place in Toronto“.

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Bontemps had some strong words for the Raptors but the offseason is not over yet. With trade talks still prevalent, the franchise could make major moves to shock the world. As they stand currently however, the Raptors do not seem to be in their best position.