Fred VanVleet wrote an emotional farewell post for Norman Powell

It’s wild to think about just how far Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell have come since their start in the NBA. Powell was a second round pick in 2015, and VanVleet was an undrafted rookie in 2016.

Both guys shared the grinder mentality — Powell’s ‘Understand the Grind’ slogan basically goes hand-in-hand with FVV’s ‘Bet On Yourself’ — and worked their way into shared roles on the Raptors’ bench mob from a few years back and eventually the starting lineup.

After their six seasons together, the two are splitting ways. Powell has been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, and VanVleet took to Instagram with an emotional farewell for his longtime teammate.

“I ain’t gone lie this a tough one...” VanVleet wrote. “One of the most competitive hardworking people I’ve ever met. Thank you for pushing me everyday and for being solid from day 1.”

VanVleet got his big payday last offseason, signing a four-year, $85 million contract to stay with the Raptors, and it sounds like Norm could be in for something in a similar ballpark after breaking out as one of the best scorers in the league this season.

It’s been exciting to see these two really work themselves into where they are today, and we’re sure Raptors fans will watch Norm’s upcoming free agency with just as much emotional investment as VanVleet will.