Toronto Raptors: Are the Kyle Lowry to Philadelphia 76ers Rumors True?

There have been some rumors going around that the Toronto Raptors will trade Kyle Lowry to the Philadelphia 76ers in hopes to land draft rights for LaMelo Ball.

There have been rumors indicating that the Toronto Raptors are trying to send out Kyle Lowry to the Philadelphia 76ers in order to get the draft rights to LaMelo Ball. The rumors first came from  Rashad Phillips on Scoop B Radio where he mentions that the Toronto Raptors are very high on LaMelo Ball. Then it was also later tweeted out by Corey Williams, an NBL analyst for ESPN — NBL is the league where LaMelo Ball played this past season.

Although I doubt there is any legitimacy to these trade rumors, and the rumors were just put out to create discussion, this is how the whole trade would happen:

So far, this is all we know and we don’t know how legitimate it is. There are surely other pieces that would along with this for salary reasons, but these are the main trading pieces. We know Masai Ujiri isn’t afraid to make big trades so maybe there is the SLIGHTEST chance something would occur, but still very unlikely.  With no NBA going and not a lot to talk about, I’ll look at why each team would or wouldn’t pull this off.

Toronto Raptors 

If the Toronto Raptors were to pull this trade, the fans will view this as complete lunacy. It also probably means that the Toronto Raptors don’t believe their current core and are accepting a mini rebuild.

LaMelo Ball is already familiar with playing in an adult league, so transitioning to the NBA would be easier than the other players in the draft. LaMelo’s strengths are his playmaking and ball-handling on offense. His quickness and size for a 6-foot-7 wing also make him a very good defender in today’s league. Although his jump shot needs major work, he will only be 19 years old once he actually enters the league and will have a lot of time to work on his game. His potential is endless.

Lowry, who hasn’t seemed to have hit a decline as of yet but is set to enter the wrong side of his 30’s soon. The trade does somewhat make some sense for the Toronto Raptors if they believe Lowry’s days are numbered as a top point guard.  Trading a player who has given has given his all in Toronto and will most likely have his number retired when it is all said and done, is not something that will bode well with Raptors fans.

Philadelphia 76ers 

So for the Sixers, this is the team that it would probably make the least sense. Ben Simmons is only 23 and has yet to enter his prime yet. Separating Simmons from Joel Embiid after only three seasons together is a big mistake, especially given the amount of talent they both have.

There should be no possibility where the Sixers want to do this trade. Even if they do get another piece in return, Simmons is a generational talent and still so young. Sure giving Embiid a point guard that can space the floor is nice, but is it really worth doing if Lowry has two years left in him?

We know the Sixers’ front office has made many boneheaded trades and moves the past few years, so I wouldn’t put it past them to make such a trade.

Golden State Warriors 

There is probably not a better team for Ben Simmons to be on than the Golden State Warriors. He’d be surrounded by only the best shooters, including Stephen Curry who he can run the pick and roll over and over again. Simmons arriving will probably mean Draymond Green or Andrew Wiggins’s departure which won’t be bad at all. Draymond Green has already shown some decline, and Andrew Wiggins well, he’s Andrew Wiggins.

If you are the Golden State Warriors in this trade, this is a trade you make 100 times out of 100.

All in all, this is a trade that will probably never happened. The team this trade helps the most is the Golden State Warriors and I see no reason for the Raptors to give up on their current team and for the Sixers to give up such tremendous talent.