Toronto Raptors: Looking at a Kyle Lowry to the 76ers trade
By Jack Long
The Philadelphia 76ers whiffed on the James Harden sweepstakes. Still in the market for a guard, don’t expect Daryl Morey to be complacent with what he has. Morey isn’t exactly shy of big deals and is absolutely making calls to some teams who may be willing to make a move. The Toronto Raptors would be one of those teams.
Kyle Lowry is one of a number of trade candidates on this Raptors team. At 34 years of age, Lowry is still one of the most reliable guards in the league and his veteran savvy along with championship experience would be great assets for any team looking to make a deep playoff run.
Sitting at the top of the East with a 13-6 record, 2021 looks like it could be the 76ers year. Joel Embiid is having an MVP contending season and it finally looks like this team has gelled with the right pieces being placed around Embiid and Ben Simmons.
The Raptors, on the other hand, are having one of their worst seasons in recent memory with a 7-11 record. Currently on the outside looking in of the playoffs, the Raptors have some work to do to even snag a lower seed.
The Raptors and 76ers look like perfect trade partners in a potential Kyle Lowry deal. Lowry is a Philly boy at heart, and the prospect of him going to play for his hometown team for what looks like will be a deep playoff run seems like a perfect story.
Toronto Raptors – Philadelphia 76ers blockbuster
This isn’t the easiest trade to make just based on Lowry’s contract and the salary matching that has to be done to make it work. That being said, this is by far a disastrous deal for either side and both sides would benefit from the return.
The 76ers know what they’re getting with the veteran guard. Let’s take a look at who would be coming back to the Toronto Raptors.
Tony Bradley
Bradley is a promising developmental center
It is no secret that the Raptors are in need of frontcourt depth, and the center position is a whole other level of desperation. There are many bigger names that the Raptors could go after via the trade market, but Bradley is a decent name to bring back for depth at the position.
Still a young and developing player at 23 years of age, Bradley could benefit from the extended minutes the Raptors could give him. With only one year left on his deal, the Raptors can either choose to extend him or let him walk if they don’t see a future.
Danny Green
Green is a veteran sharpshooter who could return to Toronto
Talk about an unexpected reunion. Green has been having a pretty good season for the Philadelphia 76ers and would add some great depth to the small forward position that becomes pretty thin after OG Anunoby.
Green is also on an expiring contract that the Toronto Raptors are likely to let expire, making him a low-risk addition.
Seth Curry
Curry would be the crown jewel of a Kyle Lowry return package
The best player coming back to Toronto in this deal by far, Curry would be a welcome addition to an already deep backcourt and immediately cut off any lost productivity by the departure of Kyle Lowry.
Just like his brother, Curry is one of the best shooters in the league, yet severely underrated, likely due to his brother.. Shooting over 50% from 3 point range, this guy is an absolute sharpshooter that can get hot in a second.
Seth has two years left on his deal after this season with an annual cap hit around $8 million. Toronto would have to love that deal at what seems like a major discount for that quality of player.
2021 First Round Pick
The Raptors could build through the draft by trading Lowry
The 76ers should be more willing to move their first-round pick this year considering their championship aspirations. The pick should be very low and not worth as much to a team that looks poised to go all-in.
If the Toronto Raptors choose to retool though, any draft assets help.
Would the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers be willing to do this deal?
Sometimes you have to make tough choices in order to do what’s best for your franchise, be that either now or long-term.
If you’re the 76ers, this is a lot to give up for a veteran guard on an expiring deal. For a team that has mulled in mediocrity for so long though, this seems like the year to go all-in and take a risk. If you’re the Raptors, it would be tough to see the GROAT and a guy that has done so much for your organization playing for another team. For the future though, it would be the best move.
Morey and Masai Ujiri are two of the best executives in the NBA and both experienced in the art of the blockbuster. Expect them to be in contact in the run-up to the trade deadline.
