TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors extended qualifying offers to Fred VanVleet, Malcolm Miller and Nando De Colo on Wednesday to retain their free agent rights.

Retaining VanVleet, who was a finalist for the NBA’s sixth man of the year award, is of particular interest to Toronto.

The 24-year-old guard from Wichita State was the machine that ran the Raptors’ league-leading second unit this past regular season, averaging 8.6 points and 3.2 assists a game. His absence due to a shoulder injury in the post-season was a big blow to Toronto.

“I don’t know what the rules are with that,” team president Masai Ujiri said recently about VanVleet’s status. “I don’t want to get into trouble but I love Freddie. I hope I don’t get fined for saying that but I love Freddie. He’s our player and I love him. Whatever it is, Freddie knows we love him.”

The Raptors’ qualifying offer was an estimated US$1.7 million, which he’ll surely decline, as he’s in position for a huge pay raise this off-season.

Toronto didn’t extend a qualifying offer to Brazilian big man Lucas Nogueira.