Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors can’t seem to squash the Kyle Lowry trade rumors, as the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers are all interested in acquiring the veteran floor general, with the 76ers in particular high on Lowry’s list of potential destinations.
Lowry is averaging 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game this season, but there are reasons the Raptors could deal him despite the fact they are firmly in the playoff picture. Not only is Fred VanVleet the designated point guard of the future, but Lowry is about to turn 35 years old and will be a free agent at the end of this season.
As good as the Raptors are, it would be foolish to declare them a championship contender right now. With Miami finally healthy, Los Angeles possessing plenty of star power, and Philadelphia at the top of the East, they could give the Raptors a quality return in exchange for Lowry.
If the Raptors can get over the mental block that comes with trading Lowry away, one of these three trade packages could set Toronto up nicely for the short and long term.
These 3 Kyle Lowry trades could get the Raptors a nice return
Kyle Lowry trade No. 1: The Raptors get established veteran talent back
While trading with the Heat sounds impossible due to their lack of draft capital over the next few seasons, Miami has plenty of quality pieces to part with, even if Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are staying put. This deal gets the Raptors an immediate Lowry replacement with a player option for next year and a big that can add some rebounding and size.
Dragic, who has a player option for next season, is another 34-year-old point guard, albeit one averaging 14.4 points and 5.2 assists per game. Olynyk, a native of Kamloops, is averaging 10.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on 42 percent shooting this season. The Heat only have one first-rounder between now and 2024, but they might be willing to part with that.
Why would this Kyle Lowry trade work for the Raptors?
The Raptors are lacking depth in a few key areas, especially behind Lowry at point guard and behind whoever is the starting center. This fixes those problems in emphatic, reassuring fashion while still allowing Lowry to play out the final year of his contract with a Heat team looking to defend their conference championship.
The Heat have shown that unless there is a player they are absolutely sold on, they will trade picks for vets. That attitude might improve Toronto’s draft position in 2022, all the while getting them a potential starting center and point guard in exchange for a player who could’ve left in free agency anyway.
Kyle Lowry trade No. 2: The Raptors get a haul back from the Clippers
The Clippers are in need of a true point guard to compliment Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and Leonard has proven that he and Lowry can work well together on the offensive end in Toronto. This trade would completely fix LA’s woes at that position.
The Clippers have made it known that Beverley and Williams will be available if it means they can add a third star next to Leonard and George. While giving up four players would be risky, especially considering that Williams, a former Raptor, has already discussed how he doesn’t like playing in Toronto, this could work out well for both sides.
Why would this Kyle Lowry trade work for the Raptors?
Beverley’s defensive exploits and Williams’ sweet-shooting are well-known and will help Toronto, but this deal would give the Raptors a couple of intriguing youngsters. Zubac is still just 23, and he could average more than 8.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a starter. Kabengele, a native Canadian, is a former first-round pick with tons of two-way potential.
The Clippers don’t have any draft capital due to the Paul George trade, but they have an assortment of reserves that could be packaged together and traded if it means that LA can get a player like Lowry in return. The star point guard will get a shot at a championship, and the Raptors get a much deeper bench for their own playoff push.
Kyle Lowry trade No. 3: The Raptors send Lowry back home to Philly
The 76ers have a dominant Big Three of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris. Despite that, Daryl Morey could look to add some more perimeter scoring to really cement themselves as the favorites in the East. Lowry, a native of Philadelphia, looks like a perfect fit.
Even if the 76ers are refusing to give up promising rookie Tyrese Maxey, the Raptors could still net a very enticing package in exchange for Lowry. Consummating this trade could help Toronto replenish their roster with grizzled veterans and young projects alike to start the post-Lowry era off right.
Why would this Kyle Lowry trade work for the Raptors?
Green would come back to Toronto, as he was a vital member of the 2018-19 champions. Curry might not be his brother, but he’s quickly becoming one of the best shooters in the NBA. Thybulle is already an elite defender, and Nurse could coax some offensive improvement out of him. Bradley has had minimal production in the NBA, but he’s worth a flier at just 23 years old.
While trading Lowry to Philadelphia might seem like borderline sacrilege, it could get Lowry to a team with championship aspirations and net the Raptors a very enticing package in exchange for him.