When you think of the Toronto Raptors over the last decade or so, it’s hard not to think of Kyle Lowry. After all, the 35-year-old point guard has been with the team since 2012 and helped them win their first NBA Championship two seasons ago.
However, there have been rumours since before this season’s NBA trade deadline that Lowry’s days in Toronto might be over. He’s getting older and the Raptors took a step back this year after losing several key players over the offseason.
Lowry is also on the final year of his contract and will become a free agent once the 2020-21 NBA season finishes. In other words, if he doesn’t want to spend his final years on a rebuilding team or if the Raptors don’t think he fits in with their future plans, Kyle Lowry might be on the lookout for a new home.
With that being said, Bovada is now featuring odds on which team Kyle Lowry will end up with next season. Surprisingly, the Raptors are actually being favored to keep the point guard at -125 odds.
At the end of the day, Lowry is a Raptor through and through. His family has grown in Toronto over the last several years and he clearly loves the team. Perhaps he’ll believe that the rebuild will be shorter than thought or that he wants to help mentor the next generation of Raptors.
Either way, things are looking good when it comes to keeping the greatest Raptor of all-time in town.
NBA Odds: Which Team Will Kyle Lowry Play with to Start the 2021-22 NBA Season?
Odds via Bovada as of Friday, May 8
- Toronto Raptors (-125)
- Miami Heat (+300)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+300)
- Los Angeles Clippers (+550)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+900)
Is Lowry Miami-Bound?
At +300, the Miami Heat are tied for the best odds of the non-Raptors teams to sign Kyle Lowry in the offseason. The Heat were actually one of the NBA teams looking into Lowry at the trade deadline, so this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
One thing to consider is that he is close with Heat superstar Jimmy Butler, who’s gone on record saying that Lowry is one of his best friends. We’ve seen how friendships have led to teams forming in the past, so this isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
The Heat are also without a playmaker like Lowry on their roster. While they do have a veteran guard in Goran Dragic, Lowry is much better at setting up his teammates and playing defense.
With how desperate the Heat are to be contenders and Lowry’s connection with Butler, this scenario could become a reality this offseason.
Kyle Lowry Possibly Eyeing Hometown Return
Another big rumour around the NBA trade deadline was the possibility of Kyle Lowry returning to his hometown to play for the Philadelphia 76ers (+300). He grew up in Philly and even played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats. A big reason why Lowry didn’t end up with the 76ers during this season is that the Raptors allegedly wanted too much of a payment for him.
Now, Philadelphia will get a chance to negotiate with Lowry this offseason, potentially getting him on a hometown discount. He’d look awfully nice paired alongside Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris going forward. The 76ers’ defense would look even more immaculate than it already does and it’d keep them as championship contenders for as long as that core remains together.
