Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
With the Los Angeles Lakers finding their point guard in Russell Westbrook, here are the top three destinations for free agent Kyle Lowry.
This NBA offseason, there are set to be plenty of teams in search of a starting point guard, from teams on the rise to those planning to contend for a title. Perhaps the most attainable point man this summer will be veteran Kyle Lowry.
The Los Angeles Lakers were considered a potential landing spot for Lowry, but they essentially crossed him off their list on the night of the 2021 NBA Draft. The Lakers decided to pass on Lowry and agreed to add Russell Westbrook via a trade with the Washington Wizards.
With the Lakers now out of the point guard picture, where will Lowry hypothetically end up? Here are three of the top destinations for the 16-year veteran.
3. Toronto Raptors
Once the 2020-21 regular season reached its conclusion, it appeared as though Lowry’s time with the Toronto Raptors ended. Even though the team opted against moving him at the trade deadline, the expectation was that Lowry would explore his options on the open market.
So why do we list the Raptors as the third-best destination for Lowry? Well, Toronto held the fourth overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, and it felt as though they would use said selection on a point guard of the future. Even with Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs available, the Raptors passed on him to select Florida State forward Scottie Barnes. That was a bit shocking, considering the void they would have at the point without Lowry.
Could the Raptors be angling to bring Lowry back for the foreseeable future? You certainly cannot rule it out, especially if the team believes they can make a return to the playoffs with the same core of players. Hey, crazier things have happened than Lowry returning to Toronto.