Toronto Raptors: 3 reasons Kyle Lowry will fit in well with Miami

The Kyle Lowry era of Toronto Raptors basketball appears all but over, as the Miami Heat are closing in on a sign-and-trade that would bring Lowry to South Beach on a three-year, $90 million contract while sending veteran point guard Goran Dragic and 2020 first-round pick Precious Achiuwa to Toronto.

Lowry is joining a Heat team that already featured good friend Jimmy Butler, promising young big Bam Adebayo, and two shooters in Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro. Lowry could be the missing ingredient on a team that ends up competing for a championship.

While the lucrative contract and chance to play alongside one of his very good friends in Butler likely helped convince Lowry of the benefits of playing in Miami, Lowry had to have made this move with the intention of chasing a championship. His skill set will fit in perfectly with what Miami wants to do.

As painful as it may be for Raptors fans to watch Lowry ply his trade elsewhere, this move could be a tremendous success for both player and team alike, as Lowry could be an ideal point guard for a Miami team trying to expunge the bad memories brought on by last year’s playoff exit.

3 things Toronto Raptors legend Kyle Lowry brings to the Miami Heat.

3. Perimeter Defense

While Lowry’s primary contribution on the floor for Toronto was his ability to orchestrate an offense, his unique build made him one of the best defensive point guards in the game. His ability to hound opposing guards and ignite a fast break with a steal should pair well with a gritty Miami team.

The Heat have two excellent defenders in Butler and Adebayo that will be sharing the floor for heavy minutes, Robinson is an average defender on his best day, and Herro was objectively poor in that area last year. In comes Lowry to save the day.

Kyle Lowry will improve the Heat’s stout defense.

With Adebayo able to check the opposing team’s best big man and the combination of Lowry, Butler, and new signing PJ Tucker making life hell on perimeter players, it will be a physical grind to go up against the Heat team. Raptors fans know all too well how valuable Lowry can be on that end.

How many key stops were made in postseason play by Lowry? How many shots were contested in clutch situations? Lowry might not put up the gaudiest steal numbers in the world, but that defense remains rock-solid, and it’s a huge reason why he earned the deal he got.

2. Outside Shooting

Lowry’s offensive game in recent years has been predicated around the 3-point shot, as he has evolved into one of the better snipers from 3-point range at the point guard position. Over the last seven years, Lowry has taken more 3-point shots than 2-point shots, and his 38% success rate should play well in Miami.

The Heat were so poor from the 3-point line that despite having one of the best shooters in the game in Robinson, they were just 19th in the league in 3-point percentage. Lowry provides one more weapon for the potent Miami attack to unleash upon unsuspecting defenses.

Kyle Lowry’s shooting should help Miami.

Adebayo is a complete non-factor from beyond the 3-point line, and Butler, while still one of the best finishers at the rim, is one of the worst jump shooters among NBA stars, and his 24% success rate from 3-point range over the last two years with Miami proves that.

Lowry might actually be able to help Butler and Adebayo thanks to his shooting, as the path to the basket could get even more wide open with three legit 3-point threats in Herro, Robinson, and Herro all sharing the floor in ultra-small lineups. He’s had that effect on the Raptors, and he’ll likely have it in Miami.

1. Veteran Leadership

This is the trademark of Lowry’s style of play. It’s what has made him such a dominant player when he is at his best. He just has a knack for making clutch shots, motivating his team, keeping everyone focused, and leading his team to victory.

While Butler is one of the most notorious vocal leaders in the game, and Butler has taken his team to the Finals, Lowry has actually gone there and come out with a ring on his finger against a stacked Warriors team, and that edge could be what gives the Heat some stability against a loaded Eastern Conference.

Will Kyle Lowry help the Heat overcome the odds like the Raptors?

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks aren’t going anywhere in the long-term, the 76ers have enough star power to compete, and a healthy Nets team with that much firepower on the offensive end is enough to send shivers down Miami’s spine. At least Lowry can give them a puncher’s chance.

The Raptors were underestimated in the eyes of the basketball media for years, and it took a combination of Lowry and Kawhi Leonard to finally put the doubters to bed. Miami might face what some have deemed an impossible task in the East this year, but if we know anything about Lowry, he’ll have them fighting until the clock hits zero.