Toronto Raptors: 2 trades that send Kyle Lowry to the Pelicans
By Mike Luciano
The Kyle Lowry rumors have picked into overdrive lately, with the Toronto Raptors legend having his name linked to several teams eyeing a championship, including his hometown 76ers and a Heat team that is looking to make some noise in the postseason after a disappointing end to 2020-21.
Despite that interest, one surprise team that has recently thrown their hat into the Lowry ring is the New Orleans Pelicans, who have been trying to seduce Lowry in order to get him to Louisiana. David Griffin wants to pair him with young stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Lowry has previously said that a multi-year deal that pays him handsomely will be enough to secure his services, but the Pelicans might not be able to necessarily give him that deal due to their own financial situation.
In addition to the fact that they have to be careful with regards to how they spend over the next few years due to the impending Zion mega-contract that he will get offered. they are saddled with two of the worst contracts in the league in Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams.
The Pelicans also have to figure out what they will do with restricted free agent Lonzo Ball, as getting rid of a player entering his prime in Ball for someone that’s much older in Lowry could be viewed by some as a risky move, to say the least.
Pelicans interested in Kyle Lowry amid Lonzo Ball free agency rumors https://t.co/Ml0cEVoEvH pic.twitter.com/3gy3LNnB7l
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 19, 2021
Will the Pelicans be able to snatch Kyle Lowry from the Toronto Raptors?
Even with those qualifications, pulling off a sign-and-trade with New Orleans is not something that Toronto should totally discard if the Pelicans are willing to meet his asking price. At least it could help the Raptors avoid a nightmare scenario in which a future Hall of Famer and team legend leaves for nothing in free agency.
New Orleans may not seem like a ready-made contender like Miami and Philadelphia would be with the addition of Lowry, but a trio featuring Lowry running the offense, Ingram on the wing, and Williamson down low would be a handful for some rivals Western Conference.
These 2 deals will help Lowry make the trip to New Orleans with plenty of money in his back pocket (likely somewhere slightly north of $20 million per season), and the Raptors could end up with some sterling talent coming back their way as a result.