Toronto Raptors: 3 trade proposals that help both Kyle Lowry and Raptors

The Toronto Raptors and Kyle Lowry were not always fated to be in a long-term relationship. The team’s heart and soul can be surly at the best of times, but he is extremely professional and takes every challenge in stride with a desire to get better.

It is why he is often the smallest player on the court but takes charges. If there is a loose ball, he’s often in the middle of the fray trying to recover it. He’s tough, he’s good, but he will soon be a 35-year-old point guard, and the Raptors have needs. He is a luxury.

All-time, Lowry is third in scoring as a Raptor with 10,019 points while standing first with assists (4,035),  steals (843), and three-pointers made (1,431). During Wednesday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Lowry became the third player to hit the milestone of 10,000 in a Raptors’ uniform, joining DeMar DeRozan and Chris Bosh.

When Raptors’ management re-signed free agent Fred VanVleet to a four-year $85 million deal in November, they signaled a changing of the guard. Literally.

VanVleet himself stated in a podcast with JJ Redick called Old Man and the Three:

"“I’m 26, I’m only four years in but I feel like I’m on the verge of blossoming even more with more of a lead role and just taking more responsibility in my game, so all of those things factor into [my decision]”"

The Toronto Raptors might finally decide to trade Kyle Lowry in his age-35 season

If VanVleet and Raptors’ management believes that No. 23 is ready to lead this franchise, it means definitely that Lowry has no defined role anymore on this team.

It’s commendable all the roles that Lowry has played for this team, and in 14 games this season, he is averaging 17.8 points and 6.6 assists. He keeps aging like a fine wine based on his productivity, although he was just 2-11 Monday night against Indiana.

Several options could work out well if the Raptors are inclined to trade Lowry rather than wait for his contract to expire and claim the cap space his $30 million salaries would clear up.

This Toronto Raptors trade helps out the frontcourt and gets them a superstar

The deal helps the Toronto Raptors in several ways. First, Beal, in his ninth NBA season, seems to get better every year. He is currently averaging 35.4 points per game, leading the NBA His potential arrival gives the Raptors more size at the shooting guard position where currently they employ two six-foot guards in the starting lineup.

With Beal staking his claim as an elite shooting guard that can be a superstar in this league, Toronto will get an automatic 25 points per night from Beal as they try to cement themselves as a contender in the Eastern Conference. This deal would also eliminate three guards from a glut of seven, including their draft picks in 2020 from the roster.

Wagner and Robinson are both former first-round picks that have started to fizzle out in Washington. Both of them, especially Wagner given Toronto’s need for a center, could find themselves reborn in Toronto.

As for the Wizards, Lowry provides a guard that can relieve Russell Westbrook of some of the ball-handling duties while playing off the ball quite a bit. He would also provide outstanding defense to a team with a defensive rating of 114.2, which leaves them 27 out of 30 teams. However, he is also on an expiring contract.

Powell would give the Wizards a veteran scorer off the bench who has the potential to be the Sixth Man of the Year, while Flynn is a promising young point guard that could see his talents accentuated in Washington after struggling with Toronto.

This deal may be attractive, but it will also be difficult. Beal, in an article on the undefeated.com website, stated:

"I can sit here and say, ‘Yeah, I can go to Boston, I can go to Toronto, I can go to Miami’ … I can go everywhere everybody wants me to go. But what would that look like? It wouldn’t necessarily be my team to where now I’m in a situation in Washington where I’m being built around."

If Beal, who seems comfortable in Washington, can be convinced to leave, he would provide the Raptors with a bonafide superstar. He does have a player option for 2023 in his contract,

The Toronto Raptors could get even more depth by trading with Dallas

This deal is about balancing the undersized guard-heavy Toronto Raptors roster. Powell is a Canadian center at 29 years old. He is under contract until 2023 at a reasonable $10.1 million this year, $11 million next season, and $11.8 million in 2022/23. He could back up Chris Boucher  and give Toronto another effective big body they currently lack.

As for Johnson, this would be his potential third stint in Toronto. He could be waived or included in another deal later. He is another expiring contract at the end of this year who is averaging 7.1 points per game. Should the Toronto Raptors decided to keep him, he could be useful off the bench given his physical style of play.

Green, who was picked 18th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, was heralded at Arizona for his athletic ability, killer perimeter defense, and room to grow on the offensive end. Adding Green, who hasn’t seen much playing time this season, could give Toronto’s player development system yet another challenge to undertake.

The Mavericks would get a veteran point guard on an expiring contract ready to win a title. They currently use Luka Doncic as a point-forward, and Lowry can play equally on or off the ball. He would also be an upgrade to Dallas’point guards Trey Burke and Jalen Brunson. Lowry potentially could help Dallas with a deep playoff run in 2021, as the trio of Doncic, Lowry, and Kristaps Porzingis is easily good enough to contend in the West

The Toronto Raptors should acquire an explosive talent from Chicago

This deal would help the Raptors shed just over $1 million in payroll while bringing in some exciting talent. Zach LaVine seems to have recovered nicely from an ACL tear in his left knee way back in 2017. He has averaged 23.7, 25.5, and, this season, 27 points per game. He is under contract until the end of the 2021/22 season, giving Toronto another dominant scorer, even if his numbers might be a touch inflated by playing on a lousy Bulls team. Given his explosive style of play and improved three-pointer, LaVine could help the Raptors push for a playoff spot.

While Satoransky is not a very good scorer, he is a versatile ball-handler with the ability to distribute, and he could end up as Toronto’s new backup point guard if Lowry gets moved and VanVleet takes over PG duties.

The Bulls will get several first-round draft picks to rebuild for the future. Furthermore, Kyle Lowry is on an expiring contract but could provide a young Bulls team with a wealth of experience. It doesn’t hurt that he is also still playing basketball at a high level.