Kyle Lowry is the best player available in the NBA negotiation deadline and he wants any potential new team to recognize that. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Lowry wants “some indication” that any team negotiating for him would be willing to give him a two-year contract extension starting at about $ 25 million a year. Lowry is set to be a free agent this off-season, but part of the negotiation value for him now is that the buying team would obtain his Bird Rights. They could therefore go over the salary cap to sign it again.
As with most Lowry draws, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat seem to be ahead. Pompey is reporting that the Raptors would want Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle in any deal with the 76ers, but at the moment, Philly is not willing to surrender Thybulle. This would suggest that Maxey could be the centerpiece of a business alongside wage filling (probably in the form of Danny Green and Mike Scott) and recruiting capital.
According Michael Grange of SportsNet, Heat is comfortable giving up free agent Duncan Robinson’s restricted wing to get Lowry, but the critical point in the negotiations is second-year guard Tyler Herro. The Heat has been hesitant to include him in any offer and Miami, unlike Philadelphia, has room to sign with Lowry this offseason. If Herro is not in a deal, Miami still has other young players like Kendrick Nunn and Precious Achiuwa to offer. However, the protections in a 2023 first round choice that they owe to Oklahoma City Thunder prevent them from negotiating any future first round at the moment. If Thunder agrees to remove these protections, they can negotiate choices in 2025 and 2027.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Raptors are discussing Lowry and veteran Norman Powell with several teams. Philadelphia is also reportedly interested in Powell and several other guards in the trade market. The Miami long-term ceiling gives you the flexibility to wait for the negotiation deadline if the right deal doesn’t go through. Both teams plan to make major additions in the near future, it is just a matter of when and who.