The Toronto Raptors have concluded a forgettable season, leaving fans eager to move on swiftly. Despite Scottie Barnes showing promise and the additions of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to the team’s core, the persistent string of losses has overshadowed any positives.
A notable outcome of the substantial roster changes is the scattering of former Raptors across the league. While some ex-players have had minimal impact or faced difficulties since departing, a select few enjoyed standout performances this season. Here are three, including one who has been away from Toronto for quite some time.
In third place, Fred VanVleet stands out. Last summer, the Raptors watched as VanVleet departed in free agency to join the Houston Rockets, who made a significant investment to acquire him. Despite Toronto’s attempt to fill the void with Dennis Schroder, VanVleet’s departure was keenly felt, especially as he excelled with the Rockets.
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Houston experienced considerable improvement this season, bolstering their youthful roster with seasoned players and ascending from the bottom of the standings to the brink of postseason contention. VanVleet played a central role in this resurgence, achieving career-high assists and ranking among the league’s top 20 players in win shares with 8.4.
While the Rockets may envision a future backcourt featuring Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, for now, they benefit from the leadership of a championship-caliber veteran at the point guard position. VanVleet’s stellar performance in Houston this year underscores his enduring impact on the court.
