Heat, Lakers Among Strongest Suitors For Raptors’ Kyle Lowry

As expected, Raptors free agent point guard Kyle Lowry will have no shortage of suitors in free agency.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers, Mavericks, 76ers, Pelicans and Heat are all expected to aggressively attempt to sign Lowry, an unrestricted free agent. All are looking for a veteran playmaker to push them to another level, and Lowry fits the bill.

Lowry, 35, previously has been linked to all of the aforementioned teams, though clearly, cap restrictions and his own salary demands will make it easier for some teams to sign him than others.

In every Lowry scenario, of course, the possibility of a sign-and-trade exists. So it may boil down to who wants him most, and the Raptors could stand a chance to really benefit — and avoid losing him for nothing.

Lowry averaged 17.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in 46 games this past season. He is a native of Philadelphia. It seems the odds are long that he actually returns to the Raptors, who may look for his replacement with the No. 4 overall pick.

The free agency period begins Aug. 2. You can check out our full list of 2021 free agents here.