Such is life in the NBA when you’re in the last year of an affordable contract.
According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, a number of teams – Lakers, Knicks, Nets, Timberwolves, Warriors and Celtics – have inquired about Kyle Lowry’s availability. Berger notes that although GM Masai Ujiri is encouraged with the team’s recent success, the Raptors GM is “determined to take the long-term view”. He also notes that Ujiri has many deals on the table involving swapping Lowry for expirings. Excerpt:
In addition to the Lakers, Knicks and Nets, the Timberwolves, Warriors and Celtics are among the teams that have inquired about a deal with the Raptors for Lowry, league sources say.
Ujiri is determined to take the long-term view. With the deadline less than seven weeks away, Ujiri is said to have multiple deals he could do for Lowry that would involve receiving an expiring contract in return or slotting him into another team’s trade exception. Taking back future salary would come at a high price, i.e. a first-round pick.
Ruh-roh!
