Phoenix Suns could pursue Fred VanVleet, who reportedly declined $22.8M player option in Toronto
The Phoenix Suns have a decision to make with Chris Paul going into free agency, but seeing Fred VanVleet declining his player option to become an unrestricted free agent may become part of their thinking.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported VanVleet has declined his $22.8-million player option with the Raptors, but hasn't ruled out negotiating a new deal and returning to Toronto.
VanVleet pairing up with Devin Booker could give Phoenix one of the NBA's top backcourts for years to come. Wojnarowski reported "several contenders" who'd welcome discussions on sign-and-trade scenarios with Raptors when it comes to VanVleet.
OntarioBets.com has Phoenix with the best odds to land VanVleet at 18.2% followed by the Lakers at 16.7%.
However, the Suns have a decision to make with Paul, who is in the third year of a four-year, $120-million contract.
The third year is partially guaranteed as the remaining $15 million becomes fully guaranteed on June 28.
The Suns could either waive Paul before that date, trade him or keep him.
If they choose to keep him, that'll make it challenging for them to make major roster moves under the new collective bargaining agreement with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton on the books.
The final year of Paul's deal is non-guaranteed.
VanVleet, 29, averaged 19.3 points last season for the Raptors, who failed to make the playoffs.
Paul, 38, averaged a career-low 13.9 points as he missed the final four games of the Denver series with a groin injury. The Suns fell to the Nuggets in six games in the West semifinals.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: VanVleet declining Raptors player option, Suns could make push for All-Star
