Unexpected Team Pursued Fred VanVleet At Deadline

Amidst all the talk leading up to the trade deadline, Toronto Raptors' point guard Fred VanVleet had his name linked with the Los Angeles Clippers & Lakers, the Orlando Magic, the Brooklyn Nets, the Miami Heat, the Dallas Mavericks and others. But it's emerged now that one surprising team made a last-minute attempt to pry FVV loose from Toronto—the Milwaukee Bucks. 

A couple of deadline day tidbits: Discussions were had with Milwaukee involving VanVleet, Grayson Allen and a future first. Clippers were talking about Kennard and Brandon Boston Jr. but didn’t want to include a pick.

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) February 10, 2023

The Milwaukee Bucks, who of course already have a pretty good starting point guard in Jru Holiday, are said to have offered Grayson Allen and a future first-round pick, according to numerous reports. 

The Bucks were looking to bring in another playoff-hardened, championship-winning guard who plays both sides of the ball, much like Holiday, to add to their title push. But the Raptors' price was set much higher than Allen and a future first. 

The Clippers, according to Raptors reporter Michael Grange of Sportsnet, actually tried to get VanVleet for a package of Luke Kennard and Brandon Boston Jr. — but they didn’t want to include a draft pick. Not sure how long it took Masai Ujiri to end those conversations, but it couldn't have been long. 

The original talk around the Clippers had the Raptors asking for Terance Mann as part of a return, but L.A. wouldn't part with the 26-year-old. 

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports