Kyle Lowry‘s free agency decision will probably determine whether the Raptors operate above or below the salary cap in free agency, writes Blake Murphy of The Athletic. Demand is expected to be high for the 35-year-old point guard, with the Sixers and Heat among the contending teams likely to make offers.
If Lowry opts to stay in Toronto, where he has been for the past nine seasons, the team won’t have to be concerned with creating cap space. Murphy notes that the Raptors already have about $78MM committed to five players for next season, along with $32.18MM for seven non-guaranteed contracts and $66.3MM in cap holds. With a projected salary cap of $112.41MM, any new deal for Lowry would virtually ensure that the Raptors operate over the cap.
If he opts to go elsewhere, Toronto would be faced with the choice of taking the open cap room or trying to work out a sign-and-trade. Murphy points out that the Raptors can get to nearly $28MM by waiving and renouncing everyone without guaranteed money, which would be almost enough for a max offer for a player who has been in the league less than seven years. A sign-and-trade would likely make operating above the cap a better option, Murphy adds, but it would depend on how much salary the Raptors are willing to take back in return.
There’s more from Toronto:
- The Pelicans have been rumored to have interest in Lowry, and Steven Loung of Sportsnet.ca examines what a potential sign-and-trade deal might look like. Assuming Lowry signs with New Orleans for at least $20MM a season, Loung sees Steven Adams as a potential target. He would address Toronto’s issues at center, and the Pelicans reportedly have interest in getting rid of his $17MM contract for the upcoming season. Loung could envision a deal involving Adams and a young player such as Jaxson Hayes or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
- In a separate story, Murphy reassesses the projected top four players in draft and considers the Raptors’ chances of trading up into the top three.
- South Carolina shooting guard A.J. Lawson had a workout for the Raptors this week, tweets Canadian basketball scout Wes Brown. Lawson, who grew up in Ontario, is ranked 77th on ESPN’s big board.
IMO
Lowry to Heat = less earnings
Lowry to Pelicans = more earnings
Lowry want money or wins?
Pelicans 2 year 56mm
Heat 2 year 46mm
Lowry for Adams and Nickell seems like a good trade for both teams.
Depends on how many first round picks the Pelicans are including in the deal.
I don’t see it being more than 1
NO has the ammunition in the 2nd rd to be able to move back into the 1st rd this year, and if they trade back from 10 they can end up with 2 more late 1st rounders. Lowry is on his last legs.
Adams is only 28? NAW is 22 and was the 17th pick two years ago.
He can fill TOR’s vacant SG spot next to FVV. So, I believe Adams, NAW and a 1st this year gets it done.
Anything more is an overpay.
Lowry has already said ages ago all he’s after is 15mil a season for a couple years.
Plus his preference is to go to Philly, his home town, and try push them to a championship.
Why would he want to go to the Pelicans, a non playoff team, out in the harder western conference.
Why? Because Krazy Glue will hold any surface together. It’s craaazy!
Lol $15Mil
Don’t understand the reply’s. Lowry has public ally said that’s what he’s after and where he wants to go. It’s not my opinion it’s a fact. Then secondly I was just asking what is so attractive about the Pelicans for Lowry ?
Lowry is asking for about 25-30mil per.
Maybe they can do a three way Lowry and picks to Philly and adams and walker and a pick to Toronto’s and Simmons to NO.
Lowry isn’t going to Philly because that’s where the 76ers play.
I’m sure that if Lowry picks the Pels, the two teams would work out a S&T, and it might even be along these lines. Adams is a good fit in Nurse’s system, and his negative value is minor compared to some other players. Take 7.5 mm a year off the deal and it would have positive value. So, Walker (young RSC player) may be enough to compensate the Raps for taking Adams at the above market salary. They, in that scenario, would also be accommodating Lowry.
But, most likely, it’s all moot. Since it’s unlikely that Lowry is picking the Pels.
Amazing that doormats like NOla wants to dump their garbage on the Raptors. A realistic s & t deal would be Lonzo and Jaxson Hayes for Lowry.
Lowry going to Heat or Sixers you can book it.
Lowry’s is already stated he is going to sign with a team where 1) he is a starter and has a realistic chance to win a title within 2 years 2) and is paid —$50mil + over 2 years should make him happy
That leaves Clippers/Lakers in the West and Philly in the East
A sign and trade is difficult but would be ideal for Toronto—would hate to have him leave for squat
NO thinking they have a chance is a pipe dream