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When the Raptors signed Kyle Lowry for a one-year, $ 31 million extension after their 2019 NBA Championship, speculation immediately began whether this was a contract designed to make Lowry a business target. more attractive given that he would be under the control of the team until 2021. season.
Here we are in the 2021 season.
The Raptors hung on to Lowry last season and were once again a top team. This season has not gone so well. The Raptors got off to a treacherous start and come into play Thursday with a 16-17 record, good enough for the current No.5 seed in the heaviest Eastern Conference, but far from an argument significant.
There’s an argument Toronto could seek to be a buyer and add room for another potential playoff series, but with Lowry on the verge of turning 35 and on an expiring deal, it looks like the GM of Toronto Masai Ujiri might be inclined to quit the Lowry business while he is ahead and, rather than face the dilemma of resigning this summer or losing him for nothing, trade the franchise icon as its worth remains relatively high.
In light of this, the 76ers, Clippers and Heat have become potential business partners for Lowry, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who added that Lowry “would love to be in Philadelphia” and that the Raptors “want to reward Lowry for his years. of service by helping him secure an opportunity to win another NBA title. ”From Pompey:
The source believes the Sixers and Raptors might be able to do something. But if that happens, Toronto would likely want picks, young players and veterans with expiring contracts for Lowry.
From the Sixers’ perspective, a trade for Lowry makes perfect sense given their needs. More 3-point shooting and a perimeter playmaker are their two biggest holes, and maybe the only ones. Plus, Lowry is originally from Philadelphia. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School before playing his varsity ball in Villanova. His lasting identity as a player embodies the heartbeat of this city. A basketball game between player, team and city couldn’t be much better.
Lowry is making $ 30.5 million this season. To grow the money, while presumably removing Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry (who is too valuable as a shooter to give up), Philly would have to start any trade with Danny Green and Mike Scott, who are all two on expiring deals and earn $ 20 million combined. From there, Philadelphia could add Terrance Ferguson and rookie Tyrese Maxey, who would be the young asset Toronto is looking to acquire.
Whether the Raptors prefer Maxey or future draft picks, or both, as basic compensation for Lowry, the ingredients for a deal are there. As for the Clippers, Lou Williams and Patrick Patterson are on the cusp of expiration and could form the basis of the money, although more should be added. But the Clippers lack a young asset as attractive as Maxey, depending on what you think of Terance Mann. They should build the package around choices, but as a championship contender, those will be picks in the late 20s that have limited value.
Miami can make money work very easily. Either Meyers Leonard or Kelly Olynyk and Andre Iguodala (team option for 2021-22) do. As for the young active, there’s no way the Heat could trade Tyler Herro for Lowry. Duncan Robinson, perhaps, could be an option, or rookie big man Precious Achiuwa.
For me, the Heat can make the best offer with Robinson and a pick. But Maxey is really scheming, and if Philly is where Lowry wants to go, and this report that Toronto will err on the side of doing good by Lowry is correct, the Sixers certainly make a lot of sense.
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