Toronto Raptors: The case for and against trading Kyle Lowry

The case against trading Lowry

Yes, Lowry is getting older and questions remain as to how long he can continue playing at such a high level. But Lowry’s game is not predicated on elite athleticism. He should continue to be effective and a key contributor for at least two or three more years.

Jason Kidd played until age 40. As he got older, Kidd focused on reinventing his game. Kidd became an elite three-point shooter. At 38, Kidd was the starting point guard on the 2011 Dallas Mavericks Championship team. He only averaged 7.9 points per game. But Kidd contributed in other areas. He added 8.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

Lowry is already one of the premier marksmen in the NBA. According to Basketball-Reference, more than half of Lowry’s shot attempts this season were 3s. He is a career 36.6 percent shooter from long-distance. As he ages, Lowry may not be able to carry the Raptors’ offense. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a valuable piece to a championship-caliber team.

Lowry has had an outstanding season. He averaged 19.7 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. However, he has already shown a willingness to take a step back. Lowry deferred to Kawhi last season. This year it has been more of the same.

Siakam is the team’s leading scorer. The Raptors know this team will only go as far as Siakam can carry them. Also, Lowry has spent more time playing off the ball. He often defers to VanVleet who has been starting alongside Lowry in the backcourt this season.

Part of the reason Ujiri and Webster gave Lowry $31 million for next season has to be to build up goodwill for the future.

As per Spotrac, by the end of the 2020-21 season, the Raptors will have paid Lowry about $171 million throughout nine seasons. If the team has the opportunity to add a top 10 player next summer, Lowry might be open to returning at a substantial discount to make one last run at a championship.

Also, how much does the Raptors’ front office value a late first-round draft pick?

The Raptors have all their picks moving forward. They have shown an ability to find talent outside the first round. VanVleet and Davis were both undrafted. Powell was a second-round pick. Plus the Raptors should be able to keep most of their rotation intact for next season, so there is no guarantee a rookie would even get consistent playing time.

During Ujiri’s tenure, the Raptors have done an outstanding job of developing talent at the backend of the roster, while continuing to be a playoff team.

One thing that has been important for the development of the Raptors’ young players is that they have had to earn playing time. VanVleet started fourth on the team’s depth chart. Siakam was the D-League Finals MVP before he was an All-Star. Nothing has been handed to these players.

The Raptors as an organization value hardworking players. No rookie is going to come in and start from day one. It might be more beneficial to keep a player like Lowry around to mentor the next generation instead of shipping him out just because he’s on the wrong side of the 30.

Lowry has become synonymous with the Toronto Raptors. Players watch how an organization treats its own. Trading Lowry could have the opposite effect. Instead of making room to sign a big-time free agent, it could alienate potential targets.

After all, the basketball world was shocked when the Raptors moved on from DeRozan. Moving Lowry could be a death-blow to an organization not generally viewed as a free agent destination.

Only time will tell what the Raptors intend to do. There is no doubt that Ujiri and Webster have discussed any number of different scenarios, chief among them is what to do with Lowry. For now, he remains a member of the Toronto Raptors. But that may not be the case when the season tips off next year.