The Toronto Raptors have had to deal with the potential of trading Kyle Lowry for most of the 2020-21 season, as their poor start helped fuel speculation that a rebuild was on the way. While the Raptors did manage to heat up, Lowry hasn’t been able to escape the rumors, and his quality production this season has several contenders looking to snatch him away.
Lowry is averaging 17.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game this season, numbers that could help any number of upper-echelon teams separate from the rest of the pack. While Masai Ujiri actually going through with a Lowry trade teeters on blasphemous, the latest rumors seem to hint at the very real possibility of Lowry getting traded.
Bleacher Report is reporting that league sources believe the Raptors could trade Lowry, as a portion of Raptors personnel believes that the franchise should try to send Lowry on his way and build for the future. With a plethora of enticing hypothetical offers for Lowry potentially on the table, don’t be shocked if the trade comes sooner rather than later.
The Heat have been “long interested” in trading for Kyle Lowry, via Bleacher Report.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 8, 2021
Is Kyle Lowry leaving the Toronto Raptors?
Lowry is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of this season. Given his age and impending free agency, a point guard as long in the tooth as he is would rarely demand interest from contenders. However, given how well Lowry has played on both ends during Toronto’s 8-5 run, he’s proven he can be a reliable veteran starter on a team with championship aspirations.
The Miami Heat are reportedly interested in someone that rival executives have deemed a “very Miami-type of player.” With the Los Angeles Clippers making Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley available via trade, there is a good chance Lowry finishes the final year of his contract in Los Angeles alongside former teammate Kawhi Leonard.
Considering how they could use a veteran to take some of the pressure off of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Denver Nuggets could be a very interesting trade destination. Lowry is a native son of Philadelphia who first became known at Villanova. If the Raptors hold their nose and decide to trade him within the division, the 76ers could give Toronto plenty in return.
While the Raptors are making a playoff push, this is still a below-average team, and getting some pieces that could help Toronto rebuild is a much more worthwhile pursuit for Ujiri than neglecting the future to sneak into the playoffs and likely get hammered by a title contender.
Lowry might be one of the greatest players to ever put on a Raptors uniform, but all good things must come to an end. If the Raptors decide that they can still compete for a playoff spot, get Lowry to another contender, and pick up a solid haul of players and picks in a hypothetical trade, Ujiri might have no choice but to rip the Band-Aid off.