3 Possible Buyout Destinations For Kyle Lowry
In case you missed it: The Charlotte Hornets, who are 21 games below .500, traded guard Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat in exchange for guard Kyle Lowry and a protected 2027 first-round pick Tuesday morning.
Rozier fits an immediate need for scoring; the Heat’s offense entered Tuesday as the 11th-worst in basketball; since the turn of the calendar, their offense has been the NBA’s third-worst offense and Rozier, who’s having a career season, immediately provides a jolt of offense in Miami’s backcourt.
But we’re not here to talk about Rozier. Let’s talk about what’s next for Lowry, who you could assume gets bought out before March 1 (the last day to do so to remain playoff-eligible). He’s in the last year of his contract for $29.7 million, according to Spotrac. According to the new CBA, teams above the first and second tax aprons (~$172.3 and $182.8M) cannot sign buyout players making more than the non-taxpayer mid-level, which is worth $12.4 million.
Thus, here are teams outside of the Heat–who are ineligible to sign him anyway–that he would not be eligible to sign with:
- Boston Celtics
- Denver Nuggets
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Phoenix Suns
That said, assuming he’s bought out, let’s pinpoint a few worthwhile destinations for the 37-year-old if he gets bought out, shall we?
Philadelphia 76ers:
The 76ers are the team that’s likely the favorite to sign Lowry. He’s from Philadelphia and would join a title contender immediately, even if they’re a (slight) tier below the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference.
Lowry would also reunite with head coach Nick Nurse, whom he spent three seasons with in Toronto, including in 2018-19 when the Raptors won the title. The Sixers don’t have a true backup point guard behind Maxey and Lowry more than shores up that need; he’s far from the defender that Patrick Beverley is, but he’s much better at setting up the offense, even at this stage of his career.
This destination makes too much sense if you connect all the dots. I can see the vision.
Sacramento Kings:
Could the Kings use Lowry’s services? This is a shot in the dark, but the Kings only have two real veteran presences: Harrison Barnes and JaVale McGee … you could also count Damontas Sabonis, Alex Len and Trey Lyles, among others, too.
A backup guard isn’t Sacramento’s biggest need by any means, and Lowry’s been open about wanting to start, which could nullify this fit (or any fit, rather). But I don’t think a veteran presence behind Fox who could bridge those minutes and set up offense alongside Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray and others when Fox isn’t on the floor is the worst idea. Plus, it would come at an inexpensive cost (Kings are still $18 million from the luxury tax).
I’m not sure how likely or realistic this is, but I wouldn’t hate his theoretical fit in Sacramento.
New Orleans Pelicans:
The Pelicans are in the same boat as Sacramento: A team that could use a backup point guard who could help initiate offense and take pressure off their lead stars. Nobody on the Pelicans is above 32-years-old, either; another veteran leader can do wonders! The Pelicans were also in the running for Lowry before the Heat signed him to a three-year, $85 million deal ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Lowry’s reluctance to shoot and score is a problem; perhaps that wouldn’t exist in a different context. Nevertheless, he could help take the playmaking burden off C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram; the Pelicans don’t have a true initiator to settle down the offense. Lowry can help with that.
Wildcard: Toronto Raptors
I see this more as an “I’ll sign a one-day contract when I’m retiring” spot. Lowry spent nine seasons in Toronto and wants to retire a Raptor. The Raptors are 12 games below .500 and are 2.5 games out of a play-in spot, so I don’t expect him to sign there. But if he wants to sign there, that organization will make sure there’s room for him.
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