When Raptors signed Kyle Lowry for a $ 30 million one-year extension to their 2019 NBA Championship, there was immediate speculation as to whether it was a contract to make Lowry a more attractive trade target, as he would be under team control until 2021. be. season.
Here we are in the 2021 season.
The Raptors held on to Lowry last season and were once again a team of the highest level. This season did not go so well. The Raptors started treacherously on Thursday, playing with a record of 17-17, good enough for the current No. 5 series in the top-heavy Eastern Conference, but not nearly meaningful quarrel.
There is an argument that Toronto could look like a buyer and add a piece to another possible playoff game on the deadline, but with Lowry turning 35 in March and a deal expiring, the Raptors could also tend to pay out money from the Lowry business while they are ahead. Instead of facing the dilemma of resigning or losing him this summer, the Raptors can trade the franchise icon while keeping its value relatively high.
The latter scenario makes too much sense for the rumors of Lowry trading not to start popping up in the calendar at this point. On Friday night, Lowry’s agent Mark Bartelstein went on SiriusXM Radio and reported earlier in the day that the Philadelphia Inquirer’s report, which had a potential Lowry deal between Toronto and the Sixers, was exactly that. and an unfounded one. that.
‘A lot of the rumors and things that have been written about are just … they’s just rumors and they’s designed for people to click on the article … It happened to Kyle Lowry today. was a story today that he is striving to go to Philadelphia. This is just not true. The story came out today, so I had to [Raptors president] Masai [Ujiri] and [general manager] Bobby [Webster] and make sure they know it’s definitely not coming from us. ‘
So let’s start with the obvious here: A lot of the sports news you read or hear comes from agents. They definitely want certain things to be printed and spoken. It also goes without saying that there are certain things they do not want to talk about, at least not at certain points in a discussion. Either way, their motivation is always to create leverage for their client.
Now to the actual report, from a Keith Pompey, a trusted reporter. Nowhere in his article did Pompey write that Lowry, or is, “pushing to go to Philadelphia,” as Bartelstein suggested. Below is exactly what Pompey wrote:
Kyle Lowry will fit the 76ers perfectly.
The same can be said about the Miami Heat. However, the best spot for the Philly native and the Toronto Raptors leaderboard is the Los Angeles Clippers.
According to sources, the three teams could become potential trading destinations for the former Cardinal Dougherty High School and Villanova. It was, of course, if Lowry chose not to end the season with the Raptors.
A source said Lowry would like to be in Philly. The source believes the Sixers and Raptors may be able to do something. But when it comes down to it, Toronto most likely wants a choice, young players and veterans with contracts for Lowry, who is earning $ 30 million this season.
Lowry “would” be a perfect fit for the 76ers. It is true. Lowry would also make sense for the Heat and Clippers. Where. These teams could become ‘potential trading destinations for Lowry’ if he does not stay in Toronto. Finally, Lowry would “like to be in Philly” and the Sixers and Raptors “might be able to get something done.”
The one part of this, which can perhaps be considered Lowry pursuing a trade to the Sixers, is Pompey saying that Lowry wants to be in Philly. He does not say Lowry is campaigning for it. What he’s saying is that ‘if’ Lowry were to leave Toronto, which, by the way, is something that could benefit the birds of prey as much as it could Lowry, Philadelphia is obviously a desirable landing place. It’s his hometown.
Pompey concluded his report by saying that the Raptors ‘want to reward Lowry for his years of service by helping him get a chance to win another NBA title.’ It sounds to me more like the birds of prey that Lowry wants to trade than that Lowry is the one pursuing something, just with the classic warning that they will or want to do their franchise icon, the honor of not sending him somewhere he’s. t want to go.
It is therefore very reasonable that this is all that is being said behind closed doors, and according to Bartelstein’s taste it was just too early in the process to make anything known. There are a hundred ways it can be harmed in one way or another. It can simply be about an agent who does not want his client to be portrayed in a negative light as a man demanding a trade, even if that is the furthest thing from what Pompey reported.
Let’s stick to the information that Pompey – a respected and plugged-in reporter in the Philadelphia hoop world, where Lowry clearly has many connections – actually reported. The Raptors may consider trading Lowry, which is almost not even news, given the situation. If they do, the Sixers, Clippers and Heat have emerged as potential partners, with Philly somewhere where Lowry would like to end up ‘if’ this comes into its own.
Let’s pass the agent, let’s talk basketball here. If a trade were to fall, from the point of view of the Sixers, Lowry makes perfect sense. More three-point shooting and a perimeter playmaker are their two biggest, and perhaps only, holes.
To make the money work, while probably taking Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry (who are just too valuable as shooters to give up) off the table, Philly would trade a package with Danny Green and Mike Scott had to start. , both of which are expiring transactions and jointly earning $ 20 million. From there, Philadelphia can add Terrance Ferguson and rookie Tyrese Maxey, who is the young asset Toronto wants to acquire.
Whether the Raptors prefer Maxey or future draft picks, or both, as the main consideration for Lowry, the benefits of a deal are there. As for the Clippers, Lou Williams and Patrick Patterson are expiring deals and that could be the basis of the money, though more needs to be added. But the Clippers do not have a young attraction like Maxey, depending on what you think of Terance Mann. They will have to build the package around choices, but as a championship candidate it will pick in the late 20s that carry just as much value.
Miami can make the money work very easily. Meyers Leonard or Kelly Olynyk and Andre Iguodala (team option for 2021-22) get it done. As for the young asset, the Heat trading Tyler Herro is for Lowry by no means. Duncan Robinson might be an option, or the rookie Precious Achiuwa.
For me, the Heat can offer the best deal with Robinson and a choice. But Maxey is really intriguing, and if Philly is the place Lowry prefers to go if he is indeed traded, and it’s true that Toronto will make a mistake by doing Lowry right (which is why they believe for a man will do) who had the kind of impact on their franchise that Lowry has), the Sixers definitely makes a lot of sense.