Fred VanVleet discusses injury recovery, Raptors' future and social justice

It's been nearly six weeks since the Toronto Raptors were eliminated from the playoffs.

All-star point guard Fred VanVleet was forced to watch the fateful Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers from the sidelines due to a hip injury.

But the 28-year-old said on Wednesday that he's now back on the court and feels "great" amid his first regular off-season since winning the 2019 championship.

CBC Sports caught up with VanVleet to discuss his injury recovery, the Raptors' future, his nomination for the NBA's social-justice award and more.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

CBC Sports: This is your first normal off-season in a while. How are you taking advantage of that?

VanVleet: I feel great right now. I was hurt towards the end of the season. So having a chance to have time to rehab and just rest, reset and then now start by working out. So I'm feeling good. There's a longer runway to try to get back to season form. So the last two years have been a blur and it's definitely been a wild roller-coaster. But I think just getting this season back on track, it'll certainly help me individually and I'm excited about that.

CBC Sports: How's that recovery coming along?

VanVleet: I'm doing good. I got back on the court this week, which felt great. It's the best I've felt in a while. So it's going to be a long process to get back to where I need to be. But definitely I find my most peace when I'm able to work. I need to work and the body's feeling good.

CBC Sports: What do you see as the next step the Raptors can take next season?

VanVleet: We set the bar pretty high for ourselves. People didn't think we were going to be any good and then we dropped into a five seed [in the Eastern Conference playoffs]. So the