NBA Trade Rumors: Toronto Raptors likely to keep Kyle Lowry

Feb 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) carries the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Cartier Martin (20) during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Raptors nearly dealt Kyle Lowry to the New York Knicks early in the season. I think it’s safe to say that their thoughts have now changed on that front — drastically.

Now, the Raptors are looking to keep Lowry in an attempt to pursue a playoff push.

"[Yahoo]“We’ve heard it from [Toronto] that he won’t be moved,” a rival front office executive told Yahoo Sports.While there are never absolutes – especially if a team makes an unexpectedly rich offer – Toronto officials and sources close to Lowry have emphasized lately that Lowry appears destined to finish the season with the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors."

Even though a “playoff push” sounds good and everything if you’re a Raptors fan, after all when was the last time that Toronto made a true playoff push, they’re taking the chance of losing Lowry for nothing after this season.

With that said, if the Raptors would trade Lowry now, it’ll be hard for them to finish out the season with a playoff berth. It’s kind of a catch-22 situation.

Lowry has been a big part of Toronto’s success this season — averaging 16.7 points and 7.5 assists per game this season.