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Raptors guard Kyle Lowry is the biggest name to watch as the trade deadline approaches.
Or not.
Michael Grange from Sportsnet:
Lowry will not be processed until the March 25 deadline.
What about reporting Lowry prefers a trade to the 76ers and has told people he’s convinced Toronto will trade him? Lowry and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, have denied this.
Of course, the Raptors are in control of whether they will trade Lowry. His desires and predictions only matter to the extent that the team wants them to matter.
But Grange’s trustworthy reports indicate Toronto will keep Lowry.
Presumably, the Raptors’ decision only came after a thorough assessment of the market. Lowry turns 35 on the trade deadline day and is in the final year of his contract. Toronto has a limited advantage this season. At least it was worth considering an exchange.
It also helps to keep Lowry. The Raptors are eighth in the Eastern Conference and could fight in the playoffs. In addition to his production, Lowry brings real sentimental value.
If you keep Lowry, Toronto will face a dilemma this offseason. Lowry will be an unrestricted 35-year-old free agent. He doesn’t hesitate to demand a high salary (and neither should he be). The Raptors have already invested in their leader’s Fred VanVleet of the future.
Much could change over the next two weeks. Maybe Toronto is collapsing in the standings. Maybe another team is improving their business offering for Lowry more than expected.
But it might be a perfectly reasonable conclusion for the Raptors to keep Lowry and deal with complications this summer. At a minimum, it would be a welcome outcome for anyone who appreciates the identity Lowry and Toronto forged together and wants to see it last a little longer.
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