Kyle Lowry has garnered plenty of trade talks over the past couple weeks. With an expiring contract to his name, the point guard has gotten plenty of attention as the trade deadline approaches. The Raptors have found their former over the last two weeks and much can be credited to Lowry's impressive play. This has the Raptors leaning towards offering a contract extension.
Cathal King of TheStar.com reports the Raptors are not planning on trading Lowry in the near future. Right now, the Raptors are still surfacing near the top of the Atlantic Division with a real shot at the postseason. If everyone on the roster remains, a playoff run is not out of the question. However, that would mean holding on to the point guard.
Lowry is averaging 15.9 points per game and 7.5 assists. After sharing time last season with Jose Calderon, Lowry has continued to prove he is a true starter in the league. Naturally, teams want him. Lowry is a cheap acquisition. He is owed $6 million on an expiring deal and will become an unrestricted free agent. The Raptors are hoping to sign Lowry to a long-term deal at the end of the season, but no matter what, they are comfortable letting him walk away for nothing in return if it means a successful season this year.
Toronto says all of this, but letting Lowry walk away would be a waste. There is no guarantee that he will want to re-sign in the offseason and plenty of teams will be willing to make him a quality offer. The New York Knicks could easily be interested. The team had explored a trade for Lowry earlier, but owner James Dolan blocked the move. With JR Smith giving the team fits right now, could acquiring Lowry as a rental help the Knicks find consistency? The team does not have the assists Toronto will want, but throwing in Smith just to get him out of the locker room could help.
There is also the Golden State Warriors would could make a run at the point guard. The team has been active in talks for Denver star Andre Miller, but the Sacramento Kings might have gotten to him first after putting together a trade package on Wednesday. The Warriors are looking for depth to get past teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. Lowry could help, but it is unlikely he will agree to return as a bench player.
The Raptors have decisions to make. Just because they claim Lowry is going nowhere does not really man anything. A week ago, everyone assume Luol Deng would remain with the Chicago Bulls and now he is in Cleveland.
