Kyle Lowry is the best player available during the NBA deadline and he wants to believe that any potential new team should recognize that. According to Keith Pompey, The Philadelphia Enquirer, Lowry wants an ‘indication’ that any team that trades for him is willing to give him a two-year contract extension starting at about $ 25 million a year. Lowry plans to be a free agent during the off-season, but part of the value of the deal for him is that the acquisition team will get his Bird Rights. They were therefore able to exceed the salary limit to re-sign him.
As has been the case in most Lowry games, the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat appear to be the frontrunners. Pompey reports that the Raptors want Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle in any deal with the 76ers, but at the moment, Philly is unwilling to surrender Thybulle. This would suggest that Maxey could be the center of an agreement along with the salary replacement (probably in the form of Danny Green and Mike Scott) and draft capital.
According to SportsNet’s Michael Grange, the Heat are comfortable giving up on approaching free-winger Duncan Robinson to get Lowry, but the fixed point in the negotiations is second-year guard Tyler Herro. The Heat have so far been reluctant to include him in any offers, and Miami, unlike Philadelphia, has the chance to sign Lowry straight this offseason. If Herro does not have a deal, Miami still has other young players like Kendrick Nunn and Precious Achiuwa to offer. However, the protection against choosing the first round in 2023 that they owe to the Oklahoma City Thunder prevents them from currently trading any future first round. If the Thunder agrees to remove the protection, they could pick up in 2025 and 2027.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Raptors Lowry and veteran wing Norman Powell are discussing with several teams. Philadelphia is reportedly also interested in Powell and a number of other watchdogs on the commercial market. Miami’s long-term capitalization offers the flexibility to wait out the deadline if the right transaction does not materialize. Both teams plan to make big additions in the near future, it’s just a matter of when and who.