Kyle Lowry leaving Toronto?

Mr. S£im Citrus

Doryphore of KingsFans.com
Staff member
#1
Heard on ESPN Radio that Kyle Lowry is planning to opt out of the final year of his contract. Man, how petty would it be if Kyle Lowry did all that work, and all that campaigning to keep DeMar DeRozan in Toronto, and then left his ass there?
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#2
Heard on ESPN Radio that Kyle Lowry is planning to opt out of the final year of his contract. Man, how petty would it be if Kyle Lowry did all that work, and all that campaigning to keep DeMar DeRozan in Toronto, and then left his ass there?
Lowry also said he wants to come to the West, obviously to get away from LBJ. Has he delusions of joining the Warriors? If not, I cannot imagine which team he thinks will be so much better with his presence that it can get past Curry, Durant and company. Talk about an "out of the frying pan, into the fire" type of situation.
 

Mr. S£im Citrus

Doryphore of KingsFans.com
Staff member
#3
If he wants to play in the western conference, and play for a contender, his options pretty much consist of the Spurs, and nobody else. There's literally no other team in the NBA that's a 'Kyle Lowry' away from being a contender. And, even with San Antonio, that's only if Parker's injury turns out to be career-ending.

There's six teams in the west that Lowry would be an upgrade over their current point guard (Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Phoenix, Sacramento), but Lowry doesn't elevate any of them to contender status; hell, three of them, he wouldn't even elevate to playoff status. Then there's three teams (Houston, New Orleans, Utah) for whom Lowry might be an upgrade on paper, but doesn't actually fit what that team is trying to do. And five teams (Golden State, LA, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Portland) with guards who are significantly better, some of whom have multiple guards who are significantly better. That only leaves the Spurs, and I don't see them paying Lowry what he's likely going to want to get paid.

Unless he signs with the Warriors for the minimum, I expect Lowry to ultimately swallow his championship aspirations in order to take Cuban's money, and help lead Dallas back to the fifth seed.
 

kingsboi

Hall of Famer
#4
I see Lowry going to either one of these three teams; Minnesota, Utah or Denver. He won't take a paycut for a championship IMO, money will talk when it's said and done.
 
#5
If he wants to play in the western conference, and play for a contender, his options pretty much consist of the Spurs, and nobody else. There's literally no other team in the NBA that's a 'Kyle Lowry' away from being a contender. And, even with San Antonio, that's only if Parker's injury turns out to be career-ending.

There's six teams in the west that Lowry would be an upgrade over their current point guard (Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Phoenix, Sacramento), but Lowry doesn't elevate any of them to contender status; hell, three of them, he wouldn't even elevate to playoff status. Then there's three teams (Houston, New Orleans, Utah) for whom Lowry might be an upgrade on paper, but doesn't actually fit what that team is trying to do. And five teams (Golden State, LA, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Portland) with guards who are significantly better, some of whom have multiple guards who are significantly better. That only leaves the Spurs, and I don't see them paying Lowry what he's likely going to want to get paid.

Unless he signs with the Warriors for the minimum, I expect Lowry to ultimately swallow his championship aspirations in order to take Cuban's money, and help lead Dallas back to the fifth seed.
The PG I could see going to SA is Chris Paul. He's smart enough to realize that the Clippers are slowly losing ground in the WC. The only thing missing from his career is a championship, and SA would give him the best chance at that IMO.
 

Tetsujin

The Game Thread Dude
#6
The PG I could see going to SA is Chris Paul. He's smart enough to realize that the Clippers are slowly losing ground in the WC. The only thing missing from his career is a championship, and SA would give him the best chance at that IMO.
God, I'd be so conflicted about that situation. I mean, I love Pop and CP3 is an amazing player but I actively hate him.
 
#7
God, I'd be so conflicted about that situation. I mean, I love Pop and CP3 is an amazing player but I actively hate him.
CP3 just doesn't fit personality-wise, it seems to me. I doubt the Spurs say no, though. Anyway, it's not like the Spurs haven't seen hate-able players before. Bruce Bowen?
 
#8
CP3 just doesn't fit personality-wise, it seems to me. I doubt the Spurs say no, though. Anyway, it's not like the Spurs haven't seen hate-able players before. Bruce Bowen?
He's a mature. and veteran player in this league. Plus, he's also a very fundamental player. I think he'd be perfect for them on every level. The pace would also suit him very well considering he's best in a half court offense.
 
#9
The PG I could see going to SA is Chris Paul. He's smart enough to realize that the Clippers are slowly losing ground in the WC. The only thing missing from his career is a championship, and SA would give him the best chance at that IMO.
CP3 aint going no where, he just re-did the CBA to effectively give himself like 50 million bucks
 
#11
Heard on ESPN Radio that Kyle Lowry is planning to opt out of the final year of his contract. Man, how petty would it be if Kyle Lowry did all that work, and all that campaigning to keep DeMar DeRozan in Toronto, and then left his ass there?
Not rare in the NBA for players locked down to campaign for free agents or to keep other guys until their time comes to collect.

lol remember Elton Brand opted out of his contract to create space and campaigned for beloved in Oakland Baron Davis to leave the Warriors for the Clippers and then went off and signed with Philly that same offseason?

Lowry probably thinks he's due for more scratch. He has some leverage since somebody out there will probably offer the max or more than he's making. Opting out doesn't automatically mean he's leaving but chances are he'll be swayed to leave Toronto once teams start making their "pitches" and other stars from other teams start having "dinner" with him.

IMO the Raptors should let him walk. He tends to disappoint in the playoffs and while they're good but they are far from elite. Toronto is in a place where they might be best served taking a step back before making a leap forward. At this point it's like when Washington hamstrung themselves for years to keep their little big 3 Arenas, Jamison, and Butler together because they won 45-50 games and were perennial LeBron doormats.

Toronto should move on from that one two punch and build around DeRozan from another angle. The thing is Toronto is solid without Lowry yet not over the top or keeping pace with the elite with him. You don't give the max to that guy.
 

kingsboi

Hall of Famer
#12
Not rare in the NBA for players locked down to campaign for free agents or to keep other guys until their time comes to collect.

lol remember Elton Brand opted out of his contract to create space and campaigned for beloved in Oakland Baron Davis to leave the Warriors for the Clippers and then went off and signed with Philly that same offseason?

Lowry probably thinks he's due for more scratch. He has some leverage since somebody out there will probably offer the max or more than he's making. Opting out doesn't automatically mean he's leaving but chances are he'll be swayed to leave Toronto once teams start making their "pitches" and other stars from other teams start having "dinner" with him.

IMO the Raptors should let him walk. He tends to disappoint in the playoffs and while they're good but they are far from elite. Toronto is in a place where they might be best served taking a step back before making a leap forward. At this point it's like when Washington hamstrung themselves for years to keep their little big 3 Arenas, Jamison, and Butler together because they won 45-50 games and were perennial LeBron doormats.

Toronto should move on from that one two punch and build around DeRozan from another angle. The thing is Toronto is solid without Lowry yet not over the top or keeping pace with the elite with him. You don't give the max to that guy.
Every Eastern Conference team that faces LeBron is a perennial doormat, 7 straight Finals appearances says it all.
 
#13
If Lowry or CP go to SA, they'll be better than GSW -- assuming GSW isn't able to land yet another max salary player in the offseason ;) . I honestly felt they had a chance to beat the Warriors this past series had Kawhi not suffered the ankle injury. If nothing else, that series would have went 6 or 7 games. Adding Lowry or CP tips the scales back in the Spurs favor, IMO.