When the Raptors signed Kyle Lowry for a one-year, $ 31 million extension after the 2019 NBA championship, speculation began immediately as to whether this was a contract designed to make Lowry a more attractive commercial target, as he would be under the team control in 2021 season.
Here we are in the 2021 season.
The Raptors stayed with Lowry last season and were once again a high ranking team. This season has not gone so well. The Raptors got off to a tricky start and came into play on Thursday with a 16-17 record, good enough for the current fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but far from a significant dispute.
There is an argument that Toronto could look like a buyer and add a piece to another potential playoff race, but with Lowry about to turn 35 and in an expiring deal, it seems that Toronto’s GM Masai Ujiri may be inclined to leave Lowry Business while he is winning and instead of facing the dilemma of firing him this summer or losing him for nothing, trade the franchise icon while its value remains relatively high.
In light of this, 76ers, Clippers and Heat emerged as potential business partners for Lowry, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who added that Lowry “would like to be in Philadelphia” and that the Raptors “want to reward Lowry for his years of service helping you secure the opportunity to win another NBA title. “De Pompeu:
The source believes the Sixers and Raptors may be able to do something. But if it gets to that point, Toronto will probably want some choices, young players and veterans with contracts winning for Lowry.
From the Sixers’ point of view, a switch to Lowry makes perfect sense, given your needs. Most 3-point shots and a perimeter crack are your two biggest, and perhaps only, holes. In addition, Lowry is from Philadelphia. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School before playing the college ball in Villanova. His tough identity as a player embodies the heart of that city. A basketball match between player, team and city could not be much better.
Lowry is earning $ 30.5 million this season. To make the money work, while presumably taking Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry (who is very valuable as a sniper to quit) from the table, Philly would have to start any commercial package with Danny Green and Mike Scott, who are in trades that are expiring and earn $ 20 million combined. From there, Philadelphia could add Terrance Ferguson and newcomer Tyrese Maxey, who would be the active young man Toronto is looking to acquire.
Whether the Raptors prefer Maxey or future draft choices, or both, as the main compensation for Lowry, the deal is there. As for the Clippers, Lou Williams and Patrick Patterson are in deals that are expiring and could be the basis of the money, although more should be added. But the Clippers lack an active young man as attractive as Maxey, depending on what you think of Terance Mann. They would have to build the package around choices, but as a championship contender, those will be choices in the late 1920s that have a certain value.
Miami can make money work very easily. Both Meyers Leonard and Kelly Olynyk and Andre Iguodala (team option for 2021-22) do this. As for the active youth, there was no way the Heat would trade Tyler Herro for Lowry. Duncan Robinson, perhaps, could be an option, or the great newcomer Precious Achiuwa.
For me, Heat can make the best offer with Robinson and a choice. But Maxey is really intriguing, and if Philly is where Lowry wants to go, and this report that Toronto will be wrong to do right for Lowry is correct, the Sixers certainly make a lot of sense.