As we approach the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, various teams are taking the opportunity to deal players away. The current hot trade topic is the Toronto Raptors and their loyal franchise player Kyle Lowry along with sharpshooter Norman Powell.
The season has not been kind to the Raptors, who are in the middle of a nine-game losing streak that has left them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. At this point, the team’s hopes of a playoff run are bleak, so it makes sense for Toronto to start rebuilding. To kick it off, the team is exploring options to trade both Lowry and Powell.
Lowry has been one of the cornerstone players of the franchise for many years. The six-time All-Star guard has been loyal to the team during their ups and downs. His loyalty was rewarded when the Raptors won their first championship in 2019. Now it looks like the All-Star could be headed to another team ahead of the deadline.
The current frontrunners for landing the guard are the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. It is believed that the soon-to-be 35-year-old All-Star prefers a trade to Miami. However, one of the issues is the contract of the veteran player. Lowry is currently in his final year and is due $30.5 million this year. In order for a trade to be done, the Heat will have to give up some of their young talent and a player like Goran Dragic, who has a big contract.
Toronto has made it clear to Miami that a trade for their star would involve Miami sending them either Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson in the deal. Toronto wants either one of the aforementioned players. Herro impressed fans last season as a rookie for his scoring and three-point shooting. He has emerged as one of the future players for Miami, so it is no surprise that Toronto wants the young promising player to join their core. Not far behind Herro is fellow teammate Robinson, who emerged as one of the league’s best catch-and-shoot players from beyond the arc.
On the other hand, the 76ers are also interested in the Toronto star and in Powell. Powell is currently having a career-year, averaging 19.5 points per game and shooting 49.5 percent from the field. The guard-forward is expected to decline his player option to become a free agent this offseason. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Raptors want some assets before Powell leaves.
The Raptors have until Thursday to get a deal done. Stay tuned for more updates.
