Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: The case for and against trading Kyle Lowry

By Mark Birdsell

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 22: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors warms up prior to their NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 22: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors warms up prior to their NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The case for trading Lowry

Lowry is currently 34 years old. He will be 35 when his contract expires next summer. While it is true that Lowry has made six straight All-Star appearances there will be questions as to how long he can continue playing at such a high level.

Lowry missed 12 games this season due to injury. He sat out 17 games last season. Injuries caused Lowry to miss 22 games in the 2016-17 season. As it occurs with most athletes, Lowry’s body is starting to betray him.

Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade both retired at 37. Once injuries start to mount up, it is hard to maintain an elite level of play. Plus Lowry is not afraid to be physical, which means his body is going to continue to take a pounding year-after-year.

Before the world was shut down due to COVID-19, the Raptors had the third-best record in NBA. Even without Kawhi Leonard, Ujiri wanted to allow his squad to defend their title. However, most commentators would agree that the Raptors rank just below true contender status. They aren’t on the same level as the Lakers, Clippers or Bucks.

Siakam has taken another leap this season. He went from the Most Improved Player to All-Star Starter. Siakam has averaged 23.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. But he isn’t ready to lead a team to a championship.

With the Raptors not expected to make a big move in the offseason, it will be more of the same next year. The Raptors project to be a solid playoff team. They should advance to the second round, maybe even the conference finals. They just aren’t a legitimate threat to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Trading Lowry to another would-be contender allows the team to pick up an asset for the future, either a young player or a future first-round pick.

Scouts are underwhelmed by the 2020 draft class. However, the 2021 draft is expected to be one of the deepest in recent memory. Teams should be able to find rotation players and perhaps even starter-level talent with a mid-to-late first-round pick.

Also moving Lowry doesn’t mean that the Raptors are going to drop out of the playoff mix. The team will look to re-sign VanVleet this summer. Siakam is already locked up long-term. Plus the Raptors have a nice collection of wing players in OG Anunoby, Norman Powell and Terence Davis II.

After struggling with consistency early in his career, it looks like Powell has finally arrived. In 23 games as a starter, Powell averaged 18.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He is also shooting 42.3 percent from three-point range on six attempts per game.

Moving Lowry would allow Powell to slide into the starting lineup full-time. It would also provide more playing time for Davis who has been one of the best rookies this season, despite going undrafted.

Those five players are 26 or younger. That is a strong nucleus to build around for the future. The group projects to be the foundation of an elite defensive team. It also should be a tempting core for any superstar looking to make a move.

If the Raptors are serious about making a run at Giannis it is unlikely the team will be able to keep Lowry beyond next season. That is unless Lowry is prepared to take a massive pay cut and re-sign for the veteran minimum. Therefore, it makes sense to allow Anunoby, Powell, and Davis to take on a larger role and expand their games.

Taking all these factors into account, moving Lowry this summer might be the right decision. On the other hand, Ujiri might look back and see that not trading Lowry in 2013 was one of the best things to ever happen to this franchise and moving him now is not how you treat such an icon.

Home/Raptors News