NBA: Raptors’ Kyle Lowry dispels trade rumors ahead of NBA deadline – Yahoo!
And while Lowry stopped short of ruling out a move entirely since it’s not solely within his control, the six-time All-Star did say that his relationship with the front office is strong, and that he has yet to hold a firm talk over his next steps, whether that is before the trade deadline, or when he hits unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.
“Myself, Masai (Ujiri), Bobby (Webster), my agent, when it comes time to that point, the conversation will be had. But for now I’m just worrying about what we’re going to do in the second half of the season and continuing to grow as a team, and how (I can) help Freddy (VanVleet), Pascal (Siakam), OG (Anunoby), Norm (Powell), Chris Boucher, Terence Davis, Stanley Johnson, get these guys going a lot more and get them better,” Lowry said.
From the Raptors’ perspective, there is a case to be made both in keeping or in trading Lowry. For the first time in eight seasons, the Raptors don’t appear to be a lock for the playoffs, and Lowry will turn 35 in a few weeks (ironically, on the same day as the trade deadline) and moving him to a contender could give the Raptors more pieces to build with if they don’t feel confident in making another run with Lowry.
On the flip side, Lowry is a franchise icon, he is just as productive as he was a decade ago, and showed in last year’s playoffs that he is still the team’s best player when all the chips are down. It also can’t be overstated how much Lowry embodies the Raptors’ identity — his competitiveness defines the ethos of the organization, his leadership is fundamental in the development of the team’s prospects that have now grown into starters, and his significance to the fanbase rivals that of any athlete in Toronto both currently and historically.
“At the end of the day, my biggest goal is to help this team get as far as we possibly can, we’re always chasing the gold ball no matter what people say, or what our record says. That’s always he ultimate goal for me is to take it day by day and help this team get to that gold ball,” Lowry said.
Speaking of teams heading in the wrong direction, Toronto losing four of five games before the break would seemingly up the odds of the Raptors (17-19) becoming ‘sellers.’ But when it comes to future Hall of Famer Kyle Lowry, there’s a strong sense around the league that the size of this final season on his deal ($30.5 million) may ultimately result in him staying put.
If you’re Raptors president Masai Ujiri, and the goal is to turn Lowry into players and/or assets that improve the prospects for a brighter future, that’s a tricky proposition to pull off while also taking on the kinds of contracts necessary for the money match. Take Philadelphia, for example, where the Sixers could bring Lowry back to his home city while also reuniting him with the front office executive who played a part in his rise during their time together in Houston, Daryl Morey.
On the court, the 34-year-old would be a wonderful complement to the Embiid/Ben Simmons/Tobias Harris core. The Harden pursuit showed how badly Morey wants another perimeter scoring threat and playmaker, and Lowry’s championship pedigree could be a valuable addition to their culture. But even if there were a late first-round pick and/or a young player like Matisse Thybulle attached to a Sixers deal, would Ujiri want to take on Danny Green ($15.3 million expiring), Mike Scott ($5 million expiring) and Seth Curry (three years, including this one, for a combined $24.5 million) to make the math work? For Morey’s part, would he be so bullish on Lowry that it would justify the loss of shooting that would come with trading away Curry (who has become an X-factor and is shooting 44.8 percent from 3) and Green?
Whether it’s that scenario or any other, the sheer number of moving financial parts likely required to get a Lowry deal done would be a hindrance. The Clippers, sources say, are another team that is known to have pondered the Lowry possibility but appears to have been dissuaded by the contract obstacle. Conversely, the financial factor has everything to do with the widespread belief that Oklahoma City’s George Hill — who is owed $9.5 million this season and has a team option worth $10 million for next season — will attract serious attention from contenders.
Amid trade rumours, Lowry declares intent to retire a Toronto Raptor – Sportsnet
There has been a lot of stuff going on, suffice to say, including incessant rumours that Kyle Lowry is going to be or wants to be traded before the March 25th NBA trade deadline (I reported in an earlier column that he won’t be dealt); the team having six coaches and five players out due to COVID-19 related health and safety protocols; and the Raptors trying to figure out how to navigate short-handed for another few days before the likes of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pat McCaw and Malachi Flynn are available to play.
Some takeaways from an eventful media availability following an evening practice in Tampa Bay:
Lowry will retire a Raptor
One way another, Kyle Lowry will retire a Raptor, so says the man himself. “Let me say this: I will retire as a Toronto Raptor. That, if I’m here, I will retire as a Toronto Raptor. You know … one-day contract, hey, whatever happens,” he said.
But what else would he say? Lowry went on to point out it’s just too early to figure out exactly what form “retiring as a Raptor” will take.
Even if he’s not traded by the deadline, he’s still a 35-year-old free agent playing at or near the peak of his game who will need to balance his desire to win, his desire to be paid market rate and his desire to keep the legacy he’s built in Toronto fully intact.
“What I would like to see is finish the season out as strong as possible. Whatever happens, happens. At the end of day, myself, my agent, the organization, everyone has to do what’s right for them, right? Everyone has to do what’s best for them and the best situation. Who knows what that is, right? Who knows what that’s going to be? Who knows what that time is going to tell? … Honestly, like, I don’t know, if I (could) tell you. If can look at a crystal ball, I will tell you, (but) I don’t know what the crystal ball says …”
Toronto Temperature: Keeping up with the Raptors on their All-Star break – Raptors HQ
All right, a brief recap of how we got to where we are today regarding the seemingly annual dance of “Kyle Lowry will definitely be traded.”
First up, we had the inevitable rumours that are attached to a veteran player on an expiring contract playing for a team with a losing record — nothing really to see there. That particular drum is beat on a regular basis. Then, Kyle Lowry listed his house on the market and Raptors Twitter became the living, breathing embodiment of the “this is fine” dog in their own digital burning house. More and more writers with “sources” came out of the woodwork stating where Lowry would likely go while not a single peep had come from Lowry, his camp, or the Raptors — as is their custom.
Then, Ryen Russillo appeared on some Boston Celtics’ homer’s podcast stating that Lowry had been telling people for months that he’s going to be traded. The reporting cycle trudged along, lending credence to a baseless rumour until arriving at what is hopefully the the last domino to fall in this pointedly banal journey.
Lowry has had enough with the rumour mill and the sources and the fake trades. Essentially, if the Raptors decided to trade Lowry — a real possibility, sure — then they will do so behind closed doors and will likely send Lowry to a place where he can compete for another championship to add to his illustrious resume. So, enough now, yes? Yes.
Lowry’s future became fodder for speculation again this week when a report suggested he’d been telling people around the league for a month that he expects to be dealt before the March 25 deadline. He bristled at that report — using his social media feed to debunk it — and reaffirmed that point Wednesday in a media session after the Raptors practised in Tampa.
“Nothing bothers me when it comes to rumour and talk,” the soon-to-be 35-year-old said. “Of course, things are going to be said and be done and whatever happens, happens. But if it’s moreso than ‘Hey, he said this’ then nah, nah.
“Did you have me on record saying that? … You know, I want to know who the source is because the source (isn’t) me. That stuff is where you kind of defend yourself.”
The fact is, the Raptors have had no substantive talks with any team about dealing the veteran guard, and sources say they fully expect to ride him as far as they can go this season.
Lowry becomes a free agent in the summer and no one can predict what will happen then, but for now he’s going to do what he’s done throughout his nine seasons with the Raptors.
“At the end of the day, my biggest goal is to help this team get as far as we possibly can,” he said. “I’m always chasing the gold ball (Larry O’Brien Trophy) no matter what people say or this or that. That is always the ultimate goal for me, to take it day by day and help this team get to that gold ball.
“Myself, Masai (Ujiri, Raptors president), Bobby (Webster, general manager), my agent (Mark Bartelstein), when it comes down to that point the conversation will be had, but for now I’m just worrying about what we are going to do in the second half of the season and continue to grow as a team and help Freddy (VanVleet), OG (Anunoby), Pascal (Siakam), Norm (Powell), Chris Boucher, Terence Davis, Stanley Johnson, get these guys going a lot more and get them better.”
To me, the Heat can make the best offer with Robinson and a pick. But Maxey is intriguing in his own right, and if Philadelphia is where Lowry prefers to go if he is indeed traded (as has been reported), and it’s true that Toronto will err on the side of doing right by Lowry (which there is every reason to believe it will do for a guy who’s had the kind of impact on that franchise that Lowry has), the Sixers still make plenty of sense.
Whether that means a deal will ultimately happen, that’s another conversation. It appears the wind is blowing in the direction of Lowry staying in Toronto, which remains a good team and could become a buyer in its own right. But Lowry’s salary doesn’t have to hold up a deal. If all parties want to get something done, it can actually happen relatively easily.
