All-Star point guard bets on himself and wins again

VanVleet opted out of his $22.82 million contract for next year with the Toronto Raptors. It’s safe to say that was a wise financial decision, as VanVleet’s expected two-year deal nearly doubled that salary.

The Raptors point guard went undrafted out of Wichita State, despite a college career that included a Final Four run and an undefeated regular season. VanVleet won a title in 2019, setting a Finals record with 16 three-pointers off the bench. He also made the All-Star team in 2022, but he’s also known for betting on himself.

VanVleet tweeted that after he wasn’t picked in the first round in 2016, which comes with a guaranteed contract, he chose to become a free agent instead. That paid off, as VanVleet signed a series of lucrative deals: First $18 million for two years, then a four-year $85M deal in 2020, and now he’s likely to get nearly $84M. The latter two are the biggest contracts ever for an undrafted player.

Perhaps scouts didn’t believe in the diminutive VanVleet because of his small size, but he’s a hard-nosed defender and has developed into a great scorer and passer. He set the Raptors single-game record for assists in April.

VanVleet also set the single-game scoring record for Toronto in 2021, and this is a franchise that had Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Chris Bosh and DeMar DeRozan.

Now he’ll take his talents to a Rockets team that’s heavy on young talent with potential but light on veteran leadership. He’ll start alongside Jalen Green as Houston switches from a rebuild to competing.

Plus, VanVleet gets to hit the free-agent market again at age 31, so he can bet on himself once again. We wouldn’t bet against him.