The Kyle Lowry trade sweepstakes are heating up. According to Shams Charania, the Lakers, Sixers and Heat are all engaged with the Raptors.
Lowry is set to be dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline. The Raptors have three potential suitors, all of which hold legitimate NBA championship ambitions.
Philadelphia and Miami have long been linked with Lowry trade news. The Lakers have more recently entered the race, and some could suggest they are being used as a decoy by Masai Ujiri to drive up the bidding from the Sixers and Heat. Los Angeles would need to gut its roster to land Lowry. They are also strapped for assets, and would likely need to include Talen Horton-Tucker and their 2027 first-round pick.
An emotional Lowry looked to be bidding farewell to Toronto on Wednesday night. If it was his final game, it was a special one for the former NBA champion.
Lowry is deep into his thirties and an upcoming free agent, but he’s the greatest Raptor ever, and remains an immense trade asset. Per Brian Windhorst, any team trading for Lowry will also be looking to agree an extension.
Lowry is a perfect fit
NBA trade deadline news will be dominated by Lowry rumors over the coming hours. He’s the most impactful player on the market. Whether joining Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid or LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Lowry will change the picture at the top of the league.
Lowry brings elite defense and leadership. He’s a top tier playmaker and a great three-point shooter.
He’s a wonderful fit on any of the three teams, who will all be particularly motivated to add Lowry given how dominant the Nets have looked even without Kevin Durant.
It’s looking increasingly likely Lowry will be traded. Miami is still widely considered the favorite, and understandably so given their mix of tradeable contracts and young players. Returning to Philly is the romantic option. The Lakers, though, are clearly serious about their interest – don’t rule them out.
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