Fred VanVleet has declined his $22.8 million player option with the Toronto Raptors and will hit unrestricted free agency. In recent weeks, the Klutch client has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are in the market for a point guard, ideally one of star-caliber.

VanVleet hasn’t ruled out negotiating a new deal and a Raptors return, sources said, but he becomes one of the most prominent guards in the marketplace and an immediate target of teams with cap space and several contenders who’d welcome discussions on sign-and-trade scenarios with Toronto, sources said.

It's safe to assume the Lakers are one of those “several contenders” who would entertain a sign-and-trade for FVV. The Lakers have reportedly brainstormed sign-and-trade deals involving D'Angelo Russell, who is also set to be an unrestricted free agent and is seeking about $20-$25 million per year. The Lakers have until June 30 to pick up Malik Beasley's $16.5 million club option and guarantee Mo Bamba's $10.3 million salary for 2023-24. All of the above — along with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and Jarred Vanderbilt ($4.5 million in 2023-24) — could be theoretically swapped for VanVleet.