Image via Getty/Vaughn Ridley
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, more and more rumors are starting to leak. We already know that Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin are on the block, though they haven’t been traded as of yet. Things will surely pick up as we head towards the All-Star break and teams start to figure out the moves they need to make a run in the second half of a season.
"A source said Kyle Lowry would like to be in Philly. The source believes the Sixers and Raptors might be able to get something done. But if it comes to that, Toronto would most likely want some picks, young players, and veterans with expiring contracts."
(Via @PompeyOnSixers ) pic.twitter.com/TWurMZSaRk
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) February 25, 2021
As we head towards the break, there are now rumors that the Sixers are interested in trading for Kyle Lowry and that Lowry would like to be traded there. With Lowry in the final year of his contract and Fred VanVleet the point guard of the future, it would make sense for the Raptors to try and get something for Lowry. A deal likely won’t be simple or easy based on Lowry’s $30 million salary, but there will surely be contenders out there looking to make a deal work. With the rumors swirling, we picked out five teams that should explore a Kyle Lowry trade before the deadline.
Philadelphia 76ers
What better place to start? The Sixers reportedly want Kyle Lowry and Kyle Lowry reportedly wants to go to the Sixers. This would be a homecoming for Lowry and would be a move for Philly that could bolster their standing in the East. As we said in the intro, any trade involving Lowry will be complicated because of his salary. However, could a deal where Andre Drummond ends up in Toronto and Lowry ends up in Philly work? Yes, yes it could. The Sixers would likely have to give up some picks and send Danny Green to a third team, but adding Lowry would be worth it for Philly.
Los Angeles Clippers
Two years ago, Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, and Serge Ibaka all won a title together in Toronto. Fast forward to 2021 and Leonard and Ibaka are playing together on the Los Angeles Clippers. Why not get the squad back together in LA? The Clippers are one of the best teams in the NBA, but as we saw in the Bubble, this core might not have enough to win it all. The Clippers would be smart to explore all trade options over the next few weeks, and picking up Lowry would be a move to really add another dynamic to their team.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat continue to struggle in the East. They’re in the 8th spot, but are under .500 at the moment. They’ve dealt with a number of injuries this season, but they’ll need to pick it up to make another deep run in the playoffs. The Heat have been rumored in a number of trade options, but going after Kyle Lowry makes a lot of sense for them. Lowry would be a good fit with Jimmy Butler and give the Heat another ball handler to create for their other offensive weapons.
San Antonio Spurs
How about we get Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan back together? The Spurs are currently in the playoffs in the West, but they’r near the back of the pack. A trade for Lowry could secure the Spurs a spot in the playoffs and truthfully, it would just be fun to see Lowry and DeMar in the same backcourt once again. Who knows if the Spurs would be willing to deal, but these teams have done a deal before, which of course was the Kawhi Leonard trade a few years ago.
Denver Nuggets
Much like the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets are trying to regain their form from a conference finals trip last season. The Nuggets have had their moments this season, but currently sit at the 7th seed in the West and are just three games over .500. We all know the Nuggets have stars in Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic who would be untouchable in a trade, but pairing Murray in the backcourt with Kyle Lowry could give the Nuggets a toughness that they’ve lacked in the past. They should seriously consider a move like this to regain some ground in the very tough Western conference.