The Raptors were never close to a trade that would have shipped Kyle Lowry out of Toronto at this year’s deadline, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Lowry’s name was mentioned in discussions with the Grizzlies that might have brought Mike Conley in return. The Raptors wound up dealing for Marc Gasol, but chose to hang on to their point guard.
Charania’s report is part of a story that focuses on a February meeting between Lowry and president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri to clear the air about their relationship. Lowry made no effort to hide his disappointment after his long-time friend DeMar DeRozan was sent to San Antonio last summer in the deal that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto.
“You dwell on things that you don’t need to dwell on, and it makes things worse,” Lowry said. “You have a conversation, you figure things out, you talk about it, and you move on. Shake your hands, and you go about your business. It worked out for the both of us, worked out for everybody.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Raptors forward Pascal Siakam plans to be ready for Game 5 after playing 28 minutes yesterday, tweets Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports. Siakam, who was a game-time decision, has been dealing with a right calf contusion and said it was very sore in pre-game warmups. He added it may have affected his lateral movement, but he will continue to monitor and treat the injury and is confident he will available Tuesday night.
- Sixers center Joel Embiid was up all of Saturday night with an illness and had to get an IV at 6 a.m. before yesterday’s game, relays Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Embiid managed just 11 points after a 33-point effort in Game 3. “I got a text from him at 6:20 a.m. this morning telling me he didn’t really sleep all night, he really never felt this poorly and, ‘I wasn’t sure, Coach, if I’m going to play.’ That’s how my day started,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said.
- Sean Deveney of Sporting News examines how the possible return of injured Celtics guard Marcus Smart and Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon could affect their playoff series.
Well at least hes keeping it entertaining. A real Embiid performance in the two losses and this was a sweep for the Sixers.
Danny green makes that game tying 3 at the end of game 2, and the Raps are up 2-0 heading to Philly. Not to mention Marc Gasol had something to do with the first 2 Embiid disappearances. There is no universe in which the sixers could have swept the raptors.
You’re talking about a shot. I’m talking about a guy that averages 27 pts in the regular season playing on a bum knee and having the Hershey squirts, that if he put in a legit Embiid performance it’s the difference of 10-15 points instead of blank minutes. I think you’re giving too much credit to Gasol. It’s more Embiids poor performance than Gasols defense.
Same could be said with Lowry. He’s not hitting his shots if he hits his shots that could be a difference between 10-15 points. It’s not the Phillys defence that’s stopping him not hitting his shots
getting rid of lowry is key.
They got lucky the Spurs took DeMar’s trash contract. When Kawhi leaves you got Lowrys trash contract as a anchor for another year.
Without Kawhi they could be decent next year. I’d imagine Gasol picks up his PO and they resign Danny Green. They could probably trade Ibaka’s $20mm+ expiring for a wing like TJ Warren and have a solid starting 5(I’m sure PHX would love to have Ibaka for veteran leadership and defence).
PG- Lowry
SG- Green
SF- Warren
PF- Siakam
C – Gasol
Embiid is still getting healthy help from the refs. The call against Danny Green at the end of the game had the commentators mystified. He touched Embiid’s arm during a rebound! The nerve of him!
With that much gifting, Philly should get it to Embiid all the time, Like Toronto was doing with Kawhi in the 4th qtr.
It’s been hard to watch this series for that reason. Never seen a team with so many flagrant fouls within 8 or 9 games and still get the preferential star treatment.