Reality is beginning to set in that Fred VanVleet's time with the Raptors will soon officially come to an end.
In the opening hours of free agency, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that VanVleet would be joining the Rockets on a three-year deal worth $130 million. VanVleet's move marks the end of an unforgettable seven-year run that saw him rise from being undrafted and relatively unknown to a full-time starter and NBA champion.
As the dust settled from Wojnarowski's original report, VanVleet took to Instagram to confirm the move, penning a farewell to the franchise, city and country that he had come to call home.
MORE: A look back at Fred VanVleet's seven years in Toronto
"Words can't do justice to how thankful I am to the city that watched me grow from a young kid praying for a chance to [an] NBA Champion, [All-Star], and a father of [three]!" VanVleet wrote.
"I am forever indebted to the franchise that gave me a shot when no one else would. We built things together that can never be broken, and accomplished things that will stand forever.
"I went from the fans not knowing who I was, to fan favorite, to most hated," VanVleet playfully added. "And I'm thankful for every second of it.
"To the city, franchise, and country that watched me grow every step of the way — THANK YOU."
The reaction to VanVleet's decision speaks to how revered he is by his peers as well as the fan base.
Former teammates Norman Powell, Terence Davis and Cleanthony Early are among those to take to Instagram to congratulate VanVleet, while Marc Gasol saluted VanVleet in the comments of his farewell post.
VanVleet's signing will not become official until Thursday. That's when the Raptors organization will be able to share a proper send-off to a player that has repeatedly bet on himself and enjoyed one of the most incredible journeys for an undrafted player in any sport.
