Sixers, Miami Heat in running to acquire Kyle Lowry from Toronto Raptors
The Sixers are looking to win a championship, and their window could close within the next couple of seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO — What are the 76ers willing to give up for Kyle Lowry?
They’re prepared to make a move before Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline only if something comes along that helps in their quest to win an NBA title.
Acquiring Lowry, a Philly native who played at Villanova and Cardinal Dougherty High, would do just that. However, it could be expensive.
The Sixers and Miami Heat are having talks with the Toronto Raptors to acquire the six-time All-Star point guard in a trade. However, Lowry, 34, wants some indication that a potential destination is willing to give him a two-year extension at a minimum $25 million a year, according to sources. He’s making $30 million in the final year of his Raptors deal.
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The Raptors would like Sixers rookie guard Tyrese Maxey or second-year shooting guard Matisse Thybulle included in a package for Lowry. However, a league source said the Sixers aren’t willing to part ways with Thybulle, one of the league’s best young defenders.
A league executive thinks a package of Danny Green, Tony Bradley, Mike Scott, Maxey and a draft pick could get the deal done if Toronto can create available roster spots to match up salaries. Green, Bradley, and Scott are all in the final year of their deals. So the Sixers would basically be giving up Maxey and a draft pick.
There’s a report that the Sixers are willing to include a first-round pick.
Assuming Lowry gets traded, he could opt to leave at the season’s end if his new team doesn’t meet his salary demands. That would mean the squad gave up key assets for basically a rental.
The Sixers, who are over the cap, would receive Lowry’s Bird rights by acquiring him. That would enable them to give him the $25 million per. However, that would give them four major contracts.
But the Sixers are looking to win a championship, and their window could close within the next couple of seasons.
They need a guy like Lowry to obtain their ultimate goal. Not only is he a perennial All-Star, Lowry knows how to run a team. He’s a winner, a leader, and possesses a toughness that would benefit the Sixers. He’s also shown that he can coexist in the backcourt with another ballhandler when he plays in Toronto with Fred VanVleet.
Adding him to the mix with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris would put the Sixers in great position to advance to the NBA Finals.
Sportsnet reported that second-year guard Tyler Herro is the sticking point in a potential trade to Miami. The Heat would prefer to give up Duncan Robinson, who will become a restricted free agent. The Raptors want Herro.
J.J. Redick could be an option for the Sixers in the buyout market. According to a league source, Redick is expected to get bought out of his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Redick wants to play for a team close to his home in Brooklyn. So the Sixers could be a option.
Familiar faces
Tuesday’s contest with the Warriors provided opportunities for the Sixers to get caught up with family members and friends.
Sixers guard Seth Curry’s older brother is two-time league MVP and Warriors point guard Seth Curry. Golden State guard and former Drexel standout, Damion Lee, is their brother-in-law.
Meanwhile, Warriors swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. and Sixers center Dwight Howard were teammates with the Washington Wizards during the 2018-19. A season earlier, Oubre and Sixers power forward Mike Scott were Wizards teammates. Scott was also an Atlanta Hawks teammate of Warriors swingman Kent Bazemore. And Doc Rivers coached Warriors player mentor coach Leandro Barbosa during the 2012-13 season with the Boston Celtics.