The Toronto Raptors have re-signed Fred VanVleet to a four-year, $85 million deal, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The fourth year of his deal will reportedly be a player option, with his salary dipping by 8% in Year 2 (2021-22) to preserve Toronto's cap space ahead of a bolstered 2021 free agency class, according to Sportsnet's Michael Grange.
The undrafted star returns to the Raptors following a career-year where he averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, shooting 41.3% from the field and 39.0% from 3. In the playoffs, VanVleet raised his game another level, leading the team in scoring with 19.6 points per game.
He shores up Toronto's backcourt alongside six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry, who immediately took to Instagram to relay his excitement about the return of his teammate.
"BOY!!! BET ON YOURSELF!!," Lowry wrote, using VanVleet's motto.
"This day has legit come from blood, sweat and broken teeth," he continued, referencing VanVleet playing with broken teeth in the 2019 NBA Finals.
"This my little brother yo, I’m so happy for him y’all don’t understand man!! Wow since day ONE I knew this man was special!! He’s now seeing the blessing from the hard work he’s been putting in the time the effort to become this MAN FIRST and basketball player!!"
"Love you little bro!! Yeah he’s paying for the Boat days from now on," Lowry concluded, using #themteethreallyshiningnow to drive home the humour behind the heartfelt post.
Lowry has mentored VanVleet for all four seasons he's been in the league, forming one of the NBA's best backcourts this past season. With VanVleet back in the fold alongside Lowry, All-Star forward Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, the Raptors retain their core that has brought them to consecutive seasons finishing with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Raptors fans, rejoice.
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