The Philadelphia 76ers had a quiet NBA trade deadline in the wake of Joel Embiid’s season-altering injury. Just ahead of the NBA All-Star Break, however, the 76ers are reportedly expected to sign guard Kyle Lowry to fortify their bench.
Lowry, 37, was traded by the Miami Heat to the Charlotte Hornets along with a first-round pick in exchange for Terry Rozier in January. Following failed efforts by the Hornets to flip Lowry to an NBA contender, the All-Star point guard is poised to land where he always wanted to play.
- Kyle Lowry stats: 8.2 PPG, 4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 42.6% FG, 55.4% eFG, 1.4 turnovers per game
Related: Best second-round picks in NBA history
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Lowry and the Hornets have agreed to a contract buyout. The Philadelphia native had less than half of his remaining $29.682 million salary owed for the rest of the season, with the two sides agreeing to a deferred and reduced payment to help Lowry land with a new team.
Once Lowry clears waivers, per ESPN, he will officially sign with the 76ers. Philadelphia is reportedly signing him to a contract for just the remainder of the season, which will pay him $2.8 million.
Lowry hasn’t played in an NBA game since Jan. 21 against the Orlando Magic. In that performance, he finished with just 3 assists, 2 points and 2 steals, posting a -17 net rating in 25 minutes played. Since landing in Charlotte, the Hornets have kept him sidelined to keep him healthy and find a new home for him.
- Kyle Lowry career stats: 16,034 points, 6,897 assists, 4,829 rebounds, 1,446 steals
Once he signs in Philadelphia, Lowry will join a backcourt rotation that just added three-point specialist Buddy Hield at the NBA trade deadline. Given his role in Miami, Lowry will presumably slide into a reserve role behind starting guard Tyrese Maxey in Nick Nurse’s rotation.
With only two games remaining until the NBA All-Star Break, Lowry likely won’t take the court in a 76ers’ uniform until Thursday, Feb. 22 at home against the New York Knicks. For the 37-year-old, it should be the perfect way to end his NBA career after starring at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia and then becoming a star at Villanova with his No. 1 retired by the Wildcats.
