Fred VanVleet admits young Raptors squad 'wasn't a great fit'

Former Toronto Raptors star guard Fred VanVleet has never been shy to speak his mind and is always a good bet for clip-worthy quote when handed a microphone.

Just a week after signing a massive three-year, $130 contract with the Houston Rockets and leaving the Raptors after six seasons, VanVleet addressed a report that stated he, along with fellow star and leader Pascal Siakam, clashed with some of their younger teammates during what proved to be a challenging 2022-23 season for Toronto.

"I think, like anything, it was blown out of proportion, and nowadays if you don't speak to a rumour, it becomes true," VanVleet said on The Pivot podcast. "What I will say is, for a team that had been the fifth seed the year before, it was a letdown for everybody.

"And the same way when you win a championship, everybody's level raises, everybody gets paid and everybody wins accolades, when you underperform, it's the same. Coach gets fired, your starting point guard is no longer there, your best player on the team in now in trade rumours every day. It goes hand in hand."

The 29-year-old explained that there were differences between the veteran and younger cores, which were partly to blame for the disappointing 41-41 season.

"There was a mix of guys that had been there, new guys trying to prove themselves, and it didn't work out," he explained. "It wasn't a great fit, for whatever reason the chemistry didn't click, and that's probably the most I can say about that."

VanVleet maintains that it's all love between him and his former team, despite the unexpected breakup.

"I still have a great relationship with everybody that was there. If there were any issues with me personally, they were never addressed personally."

Toronto is undergoing an offseason of relatively drastic change, with coaches and players shuffling in and out as the team enters a new era.