Rockford Native Fred VanVleet On Verge Of Massive Payday

Auburn High School graduate and NBA star, Fred VanVleet is playing his way into a huge payday.

VanVleet is no stranger to these scenarios either.

He was passed over by many big schools citing his size. VanVleet went on to star at Wichita State. Naturally, the NBA game came calling. Actually, it didn't. VanVleet went undrafted. The Toronto Raptors took a shot on him and he played his way into the rotation.

Last season, VanVleet was a key cog during Toronto's run to the NBA Championship. After superstar guard Kawhi Leonard left Toronto for Los Angeles, many thought the Raptors and probably VanVleet would fall off in 2020.

It's been the exact opposite. Despite the truncated season, COVID-19, and the bubble in Orlando, VanVleet has become a star.

Now it looks like Fred VanVleet is finally going to get noticed for the player he always has been.

The Atlantic's Shams Charania says VanVleet is going to get some action from NBA teams when he becomes a free agent this year.

The Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns "are expected to emerge as suitors for VanVleet outside Toronto."

Whether VanVleet takes the money to go play in another city or re-ups with Toronto, he has definitely earned it.

[H/T Yardbarker]

Sweet Lenny is the brand manager of 97ZOK, Q98.5, and Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Rockford. Catch him afternoons 3 to 7 on 97ZOK. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and like his page on Facebook.