Could Kyle Lowry return to Raptors amid Heat waive rumors?

The Toronto Raptors’ sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat a few seasons appears to have been a win-win for both sides. While the Raptors landed one of the more interesting young power forwards in the game in Precious Achiwua, Kyle Lowry helped the Heat make it to the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed.

Unfortunately, many who were expecting the future Hall of Famer to play like the guy who led the Raptors to a championship were disappointed. With another year of guaranteed money on the books, the Heat might be looking for a way to ditch such an expensive contract.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat are seriously considering using the waive-and-stretch provision to get out of Lowry’s guaranteed contract and spread their cap hit evenly over the next few seasons. If that happens, Lowry will be on the open market.

While a Lowry reunion is another long shot, the Raptors need to at least look into it if he is on the market. If he is willing to accept a backup role at this stage of his career, there would be very few (if any) point guards on the market better suited to the task than him.

Could Toronto Raptors sign Kyle Lowry if he leaves Heat?

Lowry’s 11.2 points and 4.5 assists per game last season were the worst averages he has had since 2010-11, which was his first year as a starter with the Rockets. Lowry was often moved to the second unit in the postseason despite the absence of Tyler Herro.

Lowry is still an effective turnover creator, passer, and leader who could be exactly what the doctor ordered for a young roster that needs one more big name that can stabilize the bench. He may not be elite anymore, but he had a clearly defined role with Miami.

Lowry will likely not come back for chump change, however, and that could create a problem for a Raptors team that wants to retain their own free agents without dipping into the luxury tax. A trade might need to be made, but Toronto will likely have no qualms about making such a move.

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The Raptors and Lowry will be tied together forever, and there is a chance that their bond could help the both of them link up for one or two more seasons if everything goes well. This shouldn’t be Plan A for Toronto, but it should at least deserve a mention.