NBA Rumors: A growing belief suggests Kyle Lowry may have played his last game with the Miami Heat.
Two offseasons ago, Kyle Lowry was one of the most sought-after free agents. And the Miami Heat, who had a clear need at the point guard position, left the offseason with him. The thought was that Lowry could potentially be the final piece for a team that had been to the NBA Finals the prior year (during the bubble playoffs).
However, Lowry didn’t exactly fit as seamlessly with the Heat as many expected. Lowry missed 19 games and was banged up all throughout the playoffs last season in Miami. When the Heat needed Lowry most, he was clearly not himself in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Unsurprisingly, the Heat would go on to lose in seven games, falling one game short of another NBA Finals appearance. Lowry wasn’t the reason why the Heat lost but his inconsistency didn’t help either.
The hope was that this season Lowry would return healthy and be that player that Miami needed him to be. While there were some bright spots early on in the season, Lowry once again has battled injuries this season that have prevented him to be the consistent point guard that the Heat has needed.
Lowry is currently sidelined with knee soreness with no timeline for a return. There is so much uncertainty regarding a potential return for Lowry that there’s at least a chance he won’t return at any point this season.
And if Lowry doesn’t return this season, there’s at least a chance that he has played his final game in a Heat uniform.
Significant changes could be on the horizon for the Miami Heat
Considering how disappointing of a season the Heat has had this season, there’s a strong indication that we could see some big changes for the franchise this offseason. Miami clearly needs to make some changes to the roster and if that indeed ends up being the case, there’s a strong chance that Lowry is a player that ends up being traded.
Heading into next season, Lowry will be on an expiring contract. That means his big salary could be used by the Heat in an attempt to land another big-money contract. If the Heat is going to make a big move or seek a significant upgrade, it’s hard to envision doing so without moving Lowry’s contract.
There’s a real chance that Lowry has played his final game in a Miami Heat uniform. If so, it will come as a disappointing ending for his Heat tenure.