During the summer of 2016, Fred VanVleet was an undrafted rookie who, after a productive career at Wichita State, was fighting just to make an NBA roster. Now two years later, after betting on himself, VanVleet will hit restricted free-agency expecting a major pay-raise.
It is a raise VanVleet has certainly earned. Last season, the second year player averaged 15.5 points and 5.8 assists per 36 minutes and was the unassailable leader of the infamous “bench mob”.
The breakout season was enough to earn Fred VanVleet Sixth Man of the Year consideration, with him being named as a finalist after the season’s end.