We’re not sure if the struggling Toronto Raptors are going to pull off a Kyle Lowry trade ahead of Thursday’s deadline around the Association. What we do know is that multiple teams are showing interest in the six-time All-Star point guard.
We’ve heard the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat as two teams most linked to Lowry with Toronto attempting to figure out where it stands ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
For good reason. Lowry, 34, continues to play exceptional basketball. He’s averaging 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists on a stellar 39% shooting from three-point range on the season.
As for Toronto, the team just helped the Houston Rockets break a 20-game losing streak and has lost nine in a row of its own. Meanwhile, a recent spat between head coach Nick Nurse and star forward Pascal Siakam has added to the tension.
Could this lead to a Kyle Lowry trade within the next several hours? Indications are that this might happen. In fact, there’s a ton of NBA rumors pointing in that direction. Let’s look at some of them below.
Read More: NBA trade rumors: Latest updates leading up to the March 25 deadline
Philadelphia 76ers interested in a three-team Kyle Lowry trade
76ers front office head Daryl Morey is still reportedly upset over missing out on James Harden before he was dealt from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets back in January.
“The Sixers crave Lowry’s floor leadership and defensive savvy after losing out to the Nets in the Harden sweepstakes,” Marc Stein of the NY Times noted in his recent newsletter.
Interestingly enough, Philadelphia was not willing to offer up stud rookie guard Tyrese Maxey in a trade offer to Houston that included three-time All-Star Ben Simmons.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype noted on Tuesday that Maxey is a player who could be available in talks for Lowry. This doesn’t make a whole lot of sense given that Maxey was untouchable in the Harden trade talks.
What we do know is that Philadelphia is looking to get a third team involved. The idea would be to give up one or two young assets and a first-round pick. Whether that is enough to get this done remains to be seen. If the 76ers are willing to offer up Maxey, they might actually be able to land Lowry ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Read More: Kyle Lowry trade rumors: Miami Heat remain interested ahead of NBA trade deadline
Miami Heat unwilling to part with Tyler Herro
According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet in Canada, there’s a sticking point in Kyle Lowry trade talks between the Heat and Raptors. Toronto wants second-year guard Tyler Herro. Miami is willing to part with 26-year-old sharpshooting wing Duncan Robinson as part of a potential package and has pushed back against moving Herro.
Miami’s infatuation with Herro led to the team pulling out of talks for Harden earlier this year. Front office head Pat Riley seems to think that they have a future star on their hands in the 21-year-old former first-round pick. At this point, it’s always foolish to question Riley.
What we do know is that Lowry wants to play in South Beach. In fact, NBA insider Tim Reynolds of the Association Press noted on Tuesday that Lowry will end up being a member of the Heat. Whether that happens ahead of the trade deadline this week or during free agency this coming summer remains to be seen.
It was also noted late last week that the Heat had offered up Goran Dragic, Kelly Olynyk and Kendrick Nunn as part of a package in a Kyle Lowry trade. We’re not sure where things stand in that regard.
This is going to be one of the major backstories to keep an eye on over the next several hours.