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Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors brings the ball up the field against the Chicago Bulls at the United Centre on the 14th. March 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.
After acquiring Oklahoma City Thunder Trevor Ariza, the Miami Heat are poised to make another big move before the 25th round. March, according to the latest report.
Kevin O’Conner revealed Sunday that the Heat are looking for a deal with Raptors guard Kyle Lowry more than anyone. Although the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers have also expressed interest, Lowry prefers to bring his talents to South Beach because he is best friends with Heat star Jimmy Butler.
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Lowry, who will be 35 as of press time, is a dynamic point guard and excellent shot blocker, O’Connor said. Lowry’s interaction with Bam Adebayo would be perfect: They can connect with pickups, or Lowry can be used as a weapon in Bama’s passing game.
Duncan Robinson – The centerpiece of the Heat-Raptors exchange.
GettyDuncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat during the NBA game between the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on the 23rd. December 2020.
For the Heat to make a serious offer to the Raptors to acquire Lowry, Miami might have to offer 26-year-old sharpshooter Duncan Robinson or 21-year-old prodigy Tyler Herro, according to O’Connor. League sources told The Ringer:
The Raptors need at least Miami’s Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson in a possible trade. And since Lowry makes $30 million, the Heat would have to forgo about $24 million of his total salary. Goran Dragic, who makes $18 million and has a team option for next season, will likely have to be included (or Kelly Olynyk, who makes $12.6 million). If a draft pick needs to be compensated, the Heat can only trade first-round picks in 2025 and 2027 if the 2023 pick protection is removed by the Thunder in a separate transaction.
Robinson is a reasonable part of the trade package, especially considering he will be a restricted free agent this season, O’Connor added.
The Heat can wait until thepostseason to go after Lowry.
GettyToronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry drives past Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid.
Instead of losing key members of their starting lineup or Guerro, who is only in the second year of his four-year contract, the Heat could wait and try to find Lowry in the postseason when he becomes a free agent.
However, waiting is risky. The Heat, who have been on the losing end of three games, need that extra boost to have another successful season.
Waiting for Lowry or another player to become available (or not) means missing out on the chance to maximize your hopes for a title this year, O’Connor said. Pat Riley had hoped to go after a big fish like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the ship sank when he returned to Milwaukee. And Bradley Beal, another target, has not yet expressed a desire to leave Washington. Lowry is older, but he could be Riley’s best option to strengthen the Butler-Adebayo core.
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