NBA: 10 players that exceeded expectations in 2019-20

Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors

After losing Kawhi Leonard during the 2019 offseason, there were many big questions surrounding the Toronto Raptors and their ability to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. However, for almost all the regular season the Raptors managed to separate themselves as the second-best team in the conference.

While a big part of that was the continued evolution of Pascal Siakam, the emergence of Fred VanVleet as a consistent offensive impact player also played a big role. VanVleet, before the hiatus, was on pace to have the best statistical season of his career thus far. He was averaging 18 points, seven assists, and four rebounds per game on 41 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range.

As he prepares to enter the offseason as a free agent, VanVleet has managed to soar towards the top of the 2019 free agency class. VanVleet should be in line for a big payday this offseason and I’m not sure that’s something we knew before his breakout campaign in 2019-20.