The Toronto Raptors want to keep their spark-plug sixth man in free agency this summer, and they may be willing to spend into the tax to make it happen.
Raptors general manager Bobby Webster appeared on TSN 1050 to reiterate his team's interest in re-signing point guard Fred VanVleet, who will be a restricted free agent this summer following a breakout campaign.
"He's a huge priority. I don't want to get fined here and I'm a bit limited in what I can say, but we love Freddy and he knows that. He's our highest priority," Webster said.
Webster's words closely echoed those of Raptors president Masai Ujiri, who said last week that he "loves" VanVleet and hopes to retain him going forward. The interest is mutual, as VanVleet said after the season that he's a "loyal" player who wants to stay.
The 24-year-old emerged as one of the league's best success stories last season, when the undrafted guard from Wichita State became the leading member of the Raptors' vaunted second unit and a reliable closer for the 59-win team. VanVleet was rock steady on both ends and averaged 8.6 points per game while hitting 41.4 percent from deep along with 3.2 assists.
While the Raptors would undoubtedly like to re-sign VanVleet, they also have to be mindful of their swollen cap sheet. Toronto has $126 million committed to 11 players for next season and is in serious danger of venturing into the luxury tax, which will be set at $123 million.
Webster maintained, however, that the Raptors have the green light to spend as much as they feel is appropriate.
"I'm not sure where that narrative came from but we've always had full support from ownership as far as spending into the luxury tax, so that's never been a directive from anyone," he said.
