NBA Trade Rumors: There are some in the Toronto Raptors organization that are ready to move on from Kyle Lowry. Would they really trade him?
Despite a slow start to the season, the Toronto Raptors have shown some life as of late, winning four of their last five games, and are currently sitting in the 8th seed of the Eastern Conference standings and are just two games out of the 4th seed.
That said, this season has been anything but ideal for a team that was one win away from making a third Eastern Conference Finals appearance in five years. Instead, the team lost in the second round of the playoffs and now finds itself in real danger of missing the playoffs entirely this season.
While there is still plenty of basketball to be played this season, the Raptors have been anything but world-beaters. The fact that they’re still within shouting distance of hosting a first-round playoff series makes their decisions difficult heading into the NBA Trade Deadline
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
- NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24
One potential move that many are at least expecting the Raptors to explore is trading Kyle Lowry. He’s in the final year of his contract and will likely be looking to join a contender during the offseason. If the Raptors aren’t that by the end of the season, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Lowry pursue other opportunities in free agency.
According to a recent report, there are at least some in Toronto’s front office that believes this is a move that should be made at the trade deadline.
"There is a portion of Raptors personnel, league sources said, that believes the franchise should bid its beloved All-Star farewell and begin Toronto’s next chapter in earnest."
If there’s this belief amid some in the front office, you’d have to believe this is a topic that’s going to be discussed and entertained in the weeks leading up to next month’s NBA Trade Deadline. Even more so if the Raptors continue to toe around the edge of mediocrity.
Even if this is the end for Kyle Lowry in Toronto, it was a great run, and it’s nothing either side should be ashamed about. They won a championship together and there’s nothing that can change that fact.
Plus, if the Raptors can get a first-round pick and/or a nice young piece by swapping Lowry, perhaps it’s something that they should be entertaining more heavily. Especially if the team is ready to make a pivot toward the future, in building around Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVeet.
Keep an eye on the Toronto Raptors and Kyle Lowry heading into the NBA Trade Deadline. If Lowry hits the open market, he could be a player that shifts a team’s fortunes heading into the playoff push.