NBA: Grading the notable moves from the first day of free agency

Lowry heads to South Beach

Reported sign and trade package for Lowry*

Miami signs Lowry for 3 years/$90M

Grade: C-

In my previous article, I suggested the Miami Heat acquire a star. Pat Riley did just that, making another big move to sign and trade for Kyle Lowry. Miami gets immediately better by acquiring Lowry, even if it meant trading fan-favorite Goran Dragic.

However, they may live to regret giving him that contract.

While Lowry has had two of his best seasons in the past two years, he is 35 years old and will be signed until 38 years old. $30 million isn’t an *awful* price point, but convincing him to sign for less would’ve been ideal.

The Heat have a couple of years to compete for a tile with this core, but it won’t be easy in the surprisingly competitive East. I’m not sure if Lowry moves them over the hump.

Raptors acquire Dragic and Achiuwa

Grade: D

This is a pretty mediocre package for the Raptors, especially considering what they asked for at the trade deadline from Miami. Dragic is making almost $20M next season on an expiring deal, but doesn’t really fit in Toronto and may be hard to move. Achiuwa has promise as the 20th overall pick in last year’s draft but was shaky as a rookie in Miami.

Unless there are other players, such as Tyler Herro, or draft capital attached, the Raptors looked to have sold low on their All-Star.