The Toronto Raptors have been one of the most consistent winners in the NBA over the last few years, and the presence of Kyle Lowry at the point guard position is a huge reason why. Lowry’s resume will put him in the hallowed halls of Springfield one day.
Lowry remained one of the more statistically brilliant point guards in the league last year, but his beloved Raptors are a few years away from contending for a championship, while old friend Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat think that they’re just a few steps away from getting back to the Finals.
After nearly a decade north of the border, Lowry appears ready to finally call it a career in Canada. The aqua-blue water and exciting young offense in Miami have caught his attention, and Raptors fans may finally watch their fan-favorite trade in his old red and black kit for a new one.
Per Lowry himself, and Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors icon is going to sign a three-year deal with the Heat. Given Miami’s cap situation, the Heat will have to swing a sign-and-trade arrangement in order to bring Lowry on.
Wojnarowski is reporting that the three-year contract could be worth $90 million.
Three-year deal in a sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/BkmFIjAwQp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
In exchange for Lowry, insiders like ESPN Jordan Schultz claim that league sources believe Toronto will end up with veteran point guard Goran Dragic, 2020 first-round pick Precious Achiuwa, and a second-round pick in exchange for the legendary No. 7.
While I still can’t confirm it, one league source believes a S-T deal is in place that will send Goran Dragic to the #Raptors and Kyle Lowry to the #Heat. I should add that Precious Achiuwa is believed to be in the deal as well. https://t.co/3hizxcw6Cl
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 2, 2021
The Toronto Raptors may say goodbye to Kyle Lowry.
Lowry averaged 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game last year, and while some injuries kept him out of the lineups, he was as effective as ever when in the lineup. A Heat team that already featured Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will love Lowry’s ability to change the dynamic of the offense.
Dragic may still be on the move to other teams, as his $19.4 million salary next year is quite hefty. However, Dragic scored 13.4 points per game last year on 43% shooting, so in the event that the Raptors do keep him, he should be able to score at a respectable level when
Achiuwa might not have put up amazing numbers as a rookie (5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game on 54% shooting), but the former first-round pick and top recruit is a premium athlete in the post, and if Toronto can make him a more willing shooter, he has immense potential.
Lowry’s No. 7 will hang in the rafters at some point, but he saw fit to finally call it a career in Toronto. While the Raptors did manage to at least get something back rather than losing him for nothing, that first game where Lowry is decked out in Heat colors will be hard to watch.