ESPN’s blockbuster Raptors-76ers-Cavaliers trade around Kyle Lowry is too good to be true

The Toronto Raptors are in the hunt for a few upgrades at the 2020 trade deadline, but they could potentially trade away Kyle Lowry in order to accomplish that goal. While the return they could get for Lowry has been the subject of some debate, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps seems to think that the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers would give Toronto a haul for him.

It seems that everyone is getting on the Lowry-to-Philly trade bandwagon, and with good reason. The 76ers have a need for another two-way player and Lowry’s shooting could pair nicely with Ben Simmons’ aggressive attacking and passing game.

For the pending free agent point guard, the prospect of returning home to pursue a championship with the top team in the East could be enticing. Bontemps, however, thinks that the 76ers would be willing to mortgage their future and help Cleveland dump an expensive contract in order to get Lowry.

Regardless of fit, however, any such trade has to make sense for all teams involved. Here is the trade idea floated by Bontemps (ESPN+ subscription required).

This Kyle Lowry trade would be a steal for the Toronto Raptors

For what would amount to a couple months of a 35-year-old Lowry, Bontemps is suggesting that Morey and the 76ers should surrender two firsts, a second and intriguing 20-year-old guard Tyrese Maxey, not to mention the litany of depth that would be necessary for salary-matching purposes.

Raptors fans would have to be thrilled by this return if they decide to part ways with Lowry. Yes, saying goodbye to Lowry is going to be difficult no matter when it happens, particularly amidst circumstances wherein the Raptors are playing their home games’ more than 1,300 miles away from Scotiabank Arena.

If Lowry is going to see his time in Toronto come to an end, this trade would set the Raptors up for the immediate and distant future. For now, head coach Nick Nurse would be forced to lean heavily on Fred VanVleet and the growing pains-experiencing Malachi Flynn in the backcourt, but would bolster the center position by landing much-discussed big man Andre Drummond.

The club’s long-term outlook would be even rosier. The 2021 pick, even in the likely event that it lands near the end of the first round, would give Toronto two first’s in a deep draft. The 2023 pick would carry lottery protections, but would still be an undoubtedly coveted asset.

Maxey has seen his minutes dwindle after logging a heavy load in January, but remains rife with potential, as an early-season 39-point outing in Denver would suggest. Drummond is one of the best rebounding bigs in the game, if not the outright best. This would be highway robbery for Toronto.

Unfortunately for Raptor fans, Bontemps is not the GM of the 76ers. But if by some miracle, this trade does actually materialize, the Kawhi Leonard trade might have some company at the top of a crowded list of Ujiri’s greatest heists.