There’s rising buzz around the NBA that the Pelicans intend to enter the hunt for free agent point guard Kyle Lowry this offseason, league sources tell Marc Stein (Twitter link).
The Raptors are expected to make an effort to re-sign Lowry this summer, but figure to face competition from a number of teams, including some that tried to acquire the six-time All-Star at this year’s trade deadline, such as the Heat and Sixers.
The Pelicans don’t project to have the cap room necessary to make a serious bid for Lowry, but could pursue a sign-and-trade deal for the 35-year-old. New Orleans also could create some flexibility by letting one or both of their restricted free agents – Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart – walk, or by trading Eric Bledsoe and/or Steven Adams to reduce team salary.
The idea of the Pelicans going after Lowry may seem odd at first glance, since the veteran guard isn’t exactly on the same timeline as forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, who are 21 and 23, respectively. But New Orleans’ young stars could benefit from the leadership and guidance of a vet like Lowry. The longtime Raptor’s ability to either run the offense or to play off the ball and space the floor (he made 39.6% of his three-pointers this past season) would make him a nice fit to play alongside Williamson and Ingram.
Whether Lowry would reciprocate the Pelicans’ interest remains to be seen. Adding a player of his caliber would certainly raise the team’s floor, but New Orleans didn’t even qualify for a play-in spot in 2020/21, and Lowry presumably wants to play for a club that can realistically compete for a championship in the short term.
If the Pelicans are unable to land Lowry, it will be interesting to see if they make it a priority to acquire another veteran point guard. One fallback option could be Thunder guard Kemba Walker, who would likely be available for a relatively modest trade package — that’s just my speculation though.
Lowry never gets the respect he deserves. A lot of contenders would improve their chances with a player like him. Hopefully he has the opportunity to go to a team where he has the chance to get another ring.
My fav Rap
Would love to see him go to another team to win another ring
Sign and trade to a team he wants would be ideal for everyone
Short-term attempt to get into the playoffs and buy the GM more time.
Breaking: Kyle Lowry To Pursue not-New Orleans In Free Agency
Lowery is coming home to Philly. He’s a perfect fit, maybe able to get a hometown discount given his age and talent of the team.
They better not screw up the Simmons trade like they did the Fultz one, if they could pull off the Heild/Bagley/picks deal with the Kings I read about and then sign Lowery.. they go to the finals.
I just don’t see why Kings would give up all that for Ben.
Hield bagley and Lowry don’t send us to the finals, sorry. Bagley is a bust and totally redundant on this team. I’ve seen enough reports that Hield is not a great team guy to believe they are true.
Bagley isn’t a complete bust. He’s playable, start on a bad team, back up on a playoff team. He is only getting that term based on draft position between Luka and Trae. JJJ hasn’t done squat either. Neither has Mo Bamba. Wendell Carter isn’t special.
First Lowry will get more than 9M MLE. So who you giving up to Toronto in a S&T? Buddy, MB3 and say Davion Mitchell or Franz Wagner make this team better overall than just Ben Simmons. Defensively worse, but better shooting better depth. Not the package I want for Ben tho. That’s like the okay this is the best we got out of the meh trade offers.
Only dude they may land with all of MLE at PG would be DRose. Everyone else is priced out or will sign for half that or min deals. Won’t be surprised if it’s Hill they keep.
For his draft position he’s a bust. I don’t care who was drafted around him. When the nicest thing someone can say in defense of him is “he’s not a complete bust he can start on a bad team” when you’re the number 2 pick, that to me is a bust.
Bust does not address whether he can help a team, and since Philly is thin at 4/5, he would… esp assuming Dwight leaves for a likely starting job.
Lowry’s interest would likely be contingent on an overpay (in years as well as annual $$). Unfortunately for Griffin & Co., there is a salary cap, so that offer would need to part of some idiotically constructed S&T proposal.
Griffin is gifted. Two years ago I would have thought it impossible for this roster to be in the condition it’s in. How do you wind up here starting with a clean slate, one of the most desired draftees in history, and trade assets that included AD and Holiday?
Lowry is going to end up either with the Heat or 76ers. Could also see the Lakers if he’s willing to take a pay cut.
Lowry wants to go to contender. He’s not signing with Pels. ! Fuhgeddaboudit !
He’s going to Miami. Heat letting Dragic walk. You’ll see. I wouldn’t mind having Dragic on Knicks for two yrs. If we draft Giddey. He will get groomed behind the Dragon …. Giddey has been moving up boards.
I think people are underestimating the ceiling of the Pels here. If Zion continues to improve and remains healthy he’s a top 5-8 player in the League. If the new staff can actually figure out how to give him the ball and get out of the way, and Ingram buys into being the #2 option, this team will scare teams in a weaker West than normal.
If they added Lowry that would add quite a bit. New Orleans needs vet leadership more than any team. The challenge will be — can you dump Adams or Bledsoe on Toronto if you add enough picks? And then how will Griffin do filling out the back half of the roster.
But don’t sleep on New Orleans. They could be a dark horse.
If they could get off the Adams/Bledsoe money in a productive fit, that would be worth all the Bucks picks, which might be a compelling offer to Toronto in a sign and trade.
If NOLA is going to be a contender, I think they need to believe in and retain Ball and Hart, and have everyone take a positive step. With that set up plus Lowry, they could be the next Suns.
I agree Pelicans have a shot to be lethal but Tor isn’t going into the tax for bad players when they can go into tax for good players thru S&T w Lowry-
THT, who Tor wanted last year, being a good example. They can be a strong 3rd leg in a lot of 3 team teams as well (particularly GSW and Philly maybe getting Wiseman somehow )
I don’t think those Mil picks dissuade that. I see a straight walk for nothing before bad money+picks for Tor but they’ll have a lot of options presented towards them I’m sure next week
Lowry is too old to talk about ifs.