Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet could be the man this season for the Raptors. With Kyle Lowry in Miami and Pascal Siakam suffering from shoulder surgery, the burden of leading the Raptors into battle probably falls on the 27-year-old guard. FVV's five year history with Toronto demonstrates he's ready for the task at hand. VanVleet has improved his points and rebounds in each of his five seasons, and his assists were on a four-year climb until last season's slight dip. The Wichita State product is coming off a 2020-21 season in which he posted career-highs in per-game points (19.2), rebounds (4.2), blocks (0.7) and made threes (3.3), plus shot a career-best 88.5 percent from the charity stripe. His 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals were rather useful, too. The only concern was his field goal percentage, which dipped to a four-year low of 38.9 percent. That field goal percentage may continue to stay low considering Toronto's other main scoring options are Goran Dragic, Gary Trent and Siakam. Siakam is expected back by mid-November, but like Dragic, he's a candidate to be traded if the Raptors go into rebuild mode. While VanVleet could be facing additional double teams, his arrow continues to point up. Expect a third straight season of 35-plus minutes per game, wonderful counting stats, and possibly a career-first All-Star appearance from the 6-foot-1 guard.

With Kawhi Leonard leaving the Raptors for the Clippers, VanVleet took on an expanded role in a contract year. The combo guard averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 threes and 1.9 steals in 35.7 minutes, causing his fantasy stock to rise significantly. In 2018-19, VanVleet ranked 140th (per-game, eight-category), and he upped his rank to 30th in 2019-20. The 26-year-old opted to remain with the Raptors on a four-year, $85 million deal during free agency. In 2020-21, he could expand his role even more, as the Raptors lost both Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka in free agency, and Kyle Lowry is another year older. At the very least, VanVleet should meet his production from last season, making him a strong second-to-third round option in most fantasy leagues.

The hero of Game 6 of the NBA Finals, VanVleet comes into the new season with the chance to get more playing time and take on an expanded role with Toronto. He had a career year with the Raptors and averaged double-digit points for the first time, scoring 11.0 per game to go along with 4.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 threes. His production across almost every category has increased in each of his three seasons in the NBA, and that coincides with growth from back-of-the-bench rookie to invaluable reserve. After a strong showing in the postseason -- 14.0 points and 2.7 threes on 40.0% shooting from deep in the Finals -- it's possible VanVleet's role with Toronto progresses to starter in his fourth year. The Wichita State product will fight for a starting job at shooting guard with Norman Powell, but it was VanVleet -- not Powell -- who played heavy minutes in the Finals and has clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff. The absence of Kawhi Leonard will free up additional opportunities for VanVleet as well. Whether starting or coming off the bench, VanVleet can be reasonably projected to be a key part of the Raptors' rotation in 2019-20.

After barely playing as an undrafted rookie out of Wichita State in 2016-17, VanVleet became a significant contributor for the Raptors in his second year, helping lead one of the better benches in the entire NBA. Operating as Kyle Lowry's backup at point guard, VanVleet posted averages of 8.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds across 20.0 minutes. He also upped his efficiency as a shooter and finished 42.6 percent from the field, 41.4 percent from the three-point line and 83.2 percent from the charity stripe. Whenever Lowry or DeMar DeRozan were off the floor, VanVleet provided a reliable option as both a facilitator and a scorer, which landed him in the discussion for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. VanVleet wound up placing third behind Lou Williams and Eric Gordon, but it was a still a testament to how valuable he was to a team that finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference. After earning a two-year, $18.1 million extension this offseason, VanVleet returns in what should be a similar role in the backcourt. The Raptors traded away DeRozan and brought in the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, but it shouldn't impact VanVleet's role much. Look for him to operate as the No. 2 option at point guard behind Lowry, as well as the first guy off the bench most nights. That should limit his utility to a late-round option in deeper leagues.