NBA Rumors: When Kyle Lowry hits the free agent market this summer, the Philadelphia 76ers will come calling
After being swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, there are more questions than answers for the Toronto Raptors right now.
One of the biggest of those questions being, what will the Raptors do with this roster? Will they bring back a team that they know simply isn’t good enough to beat LeBron James and the Cavs?
With Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker all slated to hit the open market this summer, they need to come to a conclusion quick. Perhaps one interesting note in ESPN’s Zach Lowe’s most recent column (on the Raptors) is that his hometown Philadelphia 76ers will reportedly pursue Lowry.
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After all, what’s one more hometown narrative?
"[via ESPN]Play hardball with Lowry, and he might leave — just like Al Horford bolted Atlanta after the Hawks haggled over that dicey fifth season. Lowry’s a prickly, proud dude, and he will have suitors — including his hometown Sixers"
Lowe writes that playing hardball with Lowry could backfire on the Raptors. In other words, they need to be decisive on Lowry – and probably come to a decision sooner rather than later.
In the end, it would make sense for the Raptors to bring the band back together. There really aren’t in a situation, especially salary cap wise, to do a complete rebuild. They own a first-round pick (via the Clippers) this year, but it won’t be high enough in order to make a real difference.
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If they decide to move on from Lowry, the Raptors will still have nearly $60 million of salary tied up in DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll and Jonas Valanciunas. Not ideal.
In a perfect world (for Toronto), Lowry doesn’t opt out and plays out the final year of his contract. It would allow the Raptors to give this core one more year together. Just don’t bet on that happening.