NBA Rumors: Miami Heat are ‘frontrunners’ to land Kyle Lowry
NBA Rumors: The Miami Heat is viewed as the ‘frontrunners’ to land Kyle Lowry in free agency.
As free agency quickly approaches, one of the biggest sought-after names is expected to be Kyle Lowry. At the ripe age of 35, Lowry continues to prove that he can be a valuable asset for any team looking to take a step closer to title contention.
After nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Lowry appears set on joining a contender. Or, at the very least, getting one more big payday before he retires from the league. Heading into the free agency period, he’s also likely the biggest name that will be on the move.
Kawhi Leonard is considered unlikely to leave the LA Clippers and the same can be said about Chris Paul (and the Phoenix Suns), and John Collins (with the Atlanta Hawks).
That leaves Lowry as possibly the best free agent on the market that will seriously test the market. According to recent reports, it’s looking like a favorite for Lowry has emerged – even though the free agency period is not set to open for another 24 hours.
Growing optimism this will come together for Heat for myriad factors: Lowry has such his regard for Heat; how close he is with Butler; etc. https://t.co/mTmIuu6HlY
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 1, 2021
This report also falls in line with what Marc Stein is hearing from sources around the league. Lowry to Miami could seriously be on the horizon.
Miami's status as the favorite to land Kyle Lowry was only enhanced by the decision to pick up Goran Dragic's option for next season, league sources say.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 1, 2021
A sign-and-trade with Toronto for Lowry centered around Dragic's $19.4MM deal for next season is an obvious route to a deal.
Kyle Lowry to Miami should come as no surprise, should it come to fruition
And this should be no surprise. Miami always seemed like an ideal destination for Lowry, even at least year’s NBA Trade Deadline. Even though the deal ultimately fell through, it always seemed like something that would be revisited during the offseason.
Now the Heat is the favorite to land Lowry.
Lowry and Jimmy Butler are reportedly close and he fits a lot of what the Heat currently lacks on their roster. He’d be an answer for their questions at the point guard position and brings a certain level of added leadership to the locker room that this team possibly needs.
A lot can happen between now, the start of free agency, and when Lowry ultimately makes a decision, but it appears that the Heat smoke is real. Whether another team comes in at the last minute to swipe Lowry away remains to be seen.
dark. Next. NBA: Predicting where the top 20 2021 free agents will sign
There’s a lot of ball game left before Lowry makes a decision, but perhaps it’s time we start penciling Lowry in as the starting point guard for the Heat heading into next season?