Raptors re-sign playmaker Fred VanVleet for two years, $ 18 million

Not his teammates, who relied on him for three-point shooting and late leadership.

Not his coaches, who appreciated his stamina and cunning and his efforts to the point of trusting the second-year guard to lead the team in almost all the tight games.

Not even his bosses, who granted a contract of $ 18 million over two years. (All US Figures) on VanVleet before the free agent trading period was 12 hours.

"I do not know what are the rules," a said the president of the Raptors, Masai Ujiri Sunday morning. "I do not want to have any problems, but I love Freddie. I hope that I will not be fine for saying that but I love Freddie. He is our player and I love him. Whatever it is, Freddie knows we love him. "

This love was manifested by a quick strike in the free agency of the NBA, while the Raptors dealt with their only major issue." VanVleet was a restricted free agent and the Raptors reportedly had the right to match any bid, but locking up the 24-year-old for a two-year term perfectly matches what Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster have put in place

Four key players – DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas – are now on the same contractual path as VanVleet, the native of Rockford, Ill. Who made him a vital member of the team's rotation last year.

VanVleet made a relatively modest $ 1.3 million last season, while averaging 8.6 points and 3.2 badists per game, often joining Lowry and DeRozan on the court during tight games. Standard stimulus, VanVleet will have the right to become an unrestricted free agent in two seasons, while the NBA salary cap should reach more than $ 110 million a year and inject more money into the system

. The move leaves a host of backcourt players on the Toronto list and could accelerate further actions by Ujiri and Webster to reduce payroll in a certain way.

The Raptors are now firmly in the luxury zone with a payroll of about $ 135 million 12 players, with at least two more to add. It would cost them a substantial penalty at the end of the next season – the tax threshold is about $ 123 million – unless they find a way to pay a salary.

And with three guards – VanVleet, Lowry and Delon Wright – as well as other members of the rearguard DeRozan and Norman Powell, Ujiri gave new coach Nick Nurse a plethora of d & # 39; athletes to manage, probably more than is easily manageable. He sets up other expectations that the president will look for ways to reduce the salary in one way or another. Powell, for example, is now starting a four-year contract worth more than $ 10 million per season and he barely left the bench for long periods last season. But to drift adrift, Ujiri may need to soften the pot with a draft pick or one of the team's executives.

The president and GM could also look for ways to reach a major agreement with DeRozan. Lowry or Valanciunas, or find a team ready to face the last two years of Ibaka agreement.

However, with the task of major summer care – VanVleet was the only important agent of the Raptors to be signed – the story of Ujiri the slow and deliberate movements can be repeated in the coming weeks . Few NBA teams have significant leeway to simply sign players, leaving trades as the most likely way to move players