Raptors: Ryen Russillo claims Kyle Lowry is as good as gone in Toronto

The Toronto Raptors might be in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference, thanks in no small part to the play of legendary point guard Kyle Lowry, but they haven’t been able to escape the trade rumors surrounding No. 7 given the fact he will be a free agent at the end of this season.

Lowry has averaged 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, helping Toronto rebound after what was a brutal opening series of games in which they went 2-8. Despite that, his eight-figure contract could help the Raptors net plenty of assets in a trade, which would be a better fate than losing him for nothing in the offseason.

Ryen Russillo seems to think that not only is a Lowry trade more likely to happen than not, but Lowry has been mentally preparing himself for this day for the last month.

Russillo claimed on Bill Simmons’ podcast that Lowry is telling everyone around him for the last month that he expects to get traded, which isn’t out of the question given Toronto’s place in the standings and his hefty contract.

The Raptors might be closer to trading Kyle Lowry

Lowry has already sold his lavish Toronto house in recent weeks, and a Philadelphia Inquirer story said that the Philly native and Villanova star is eyeing his hometown 76ers, who are currently top dogs in the Eastern Conference. The move would give him one more shot at a ring late in his career.

The 76ers, who are likely willing to part with draft capital if it means they could add a star like Lowry, might be able to give the Raptors a haul of draft picks and youngsters like Tyrese Maxey in a hypothetical swap.

If he doesn’t end up in Philly, the Inquirer listed the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers as potential landing spots. While both of those teams are lacking draft capital, the players they could give Toronto in exchange for Lowry could help the Raptors compete for the postseason in 2021 and build a winner for the next decade.

Lowry is one of the greatest Raptors of all-time and a future Hall of Fame player, but sending him elsewhere might be the best way for the Raptors to build for the immediate and long-term future. Even if they take a hit in the short term, trading Lowry could get him to a contender while netting Toronto the picks and players they need.