23 Fred VanVleet PG

VanVleet agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract extension Sunday, Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports reports.

VanVleet had an outstanding second year in the NBA, finishing as a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year honors. While he was ultimately beat out by the Clippers' Lou Williams, VanVleet still helped make Toronto's bench one of the best in the league and was a contributing factor in the team's top overall finish in the Eastern Conference regular season standings. The 24-year-old averaged 8.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds across 20.0 minutes, while also hitting 1.4 three-pointers at an impressive 41.4 percent clip. With the Raptors set to bring back nearly the exact same cast of players as last season, VanVleet is likely looking at a similar role off the bench for the upcoming campaign.

VanVleet has become a restricted free agent following the Raptors extending him a qualifying offer.

VanVleet was a crucial piece off the bench for Toronto last season, seeing 20.0 minutes per game and averaging 8.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He also made 1.4 threes per game at a 41.4 percent clip.

VanVleet will come off the bench for Game 4 against the Cavaliers on Monday, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.

After a one-game stint in the top unit, VanVleet heads back to the bench while the Raptors make a final effort to stay alive in the playoffs. VanVleet logged 33 minutes in Saturday's start, so it wouldn't be surprising if his minutes took a bit of a hit following the demotion to a reserve role.

VanVleet is drawing the start over Serge Ibaka for Saturday's Game 3 against Cleveland.

With the Raptors going down 2-0 to begin the series and Serge Ibaka struggling over the past six games, coach Dwane Casey apparently feels he has to switch things up. VanVleet has averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds across 19.3 minutes over the past three contests.

VanVleet had nine points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 113-112 loss to the Cavaliers.

VanVleet saw just 15 minutes of playing time Tuesday but had arguably the two biggest misses of the night. He was twice open for potential game winners and failed to connect on either of them. He appears troubled by his shoulder injury and the fact that he was the player taking those shots is questionable coaching at best. He will get only one night off before Game Two which is now basically a must-win for the Raptors.