The Toronto Raptors are moving toward a roster transformation on the NBA’s trade deadline, engaging in talks on several fronts focused on separate agreements for sixth-star guard Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell, according to sources told ESPN.
In the final year of his contract, Lowry’s chances of leaving Toronto in a trade are gaining momentum. Powell’s future has become much less about whether he will be transferred, but which among a dozen suitors will acquire him.
The Raptors – losers nine in a row, moving up to 11th in the Eastern Conference – will hold more talks on Wednesday with a trade deadline of Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia and Miami have committed Toronto to Lowry and league sources said there are several more teams in the Eastern and Western conferences, giving Toronto President Masai Ujiri and CEO Bobby Webster reasons to weigh in on accepting the return of future assets rather than bowing. to Lowry for a final round.
Lowry, who turns 35 on Thursday, grew up in Philadelphia and played college ball in Villanova. A trade with the Sixers would represent a return home, but Lowry has had an open mind about a number of potential destinations, sources said. Lowry does not have the veto power over a trade, but the Raptors management takes Lowry’s wishes into account, given his monumental role in the franchise’s rise to the perennial playoff dispute, including an NBA championship. 2019, and its place in the Canadian sports tradition.
Lowry, who is earning $ 30.5 million this season, will be looking for a new contract in the off-season.
Philadelphia has discussed separate agreements with Toronto on both Lowry and Powell, sources said. The Sixers have also asked about other guards available on the market, including George Hill of Oklahoma City and Lonzo Ball of New Orleans, sources said.
By moving Lowry and Powell, the Raptors would accelerate a rebuild built around three young players in whom they have invested on long-term contracts: guardians Fred VanVleet and forwards Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.
The Raptors have been decimated by COVID-19 issues and injuries, which fell to 17-26 overall. The rise of the franchise to the playoff scene is pretty strong, especially in a season when the team plays outside of Canada in Tampa, Florida.
Powell, 27, has his best season in the NBA, averaging 19.7 points and 43% in triples. He is expected to turn down the $ 11.6 million option from his contract for the 2021-2022 season and become a free agent this summer. Teams considering negotiating for him prefer to find a way to sign him to a new deal and not give up assets to have him simply as a hired for the rest of the season.
The Raptors have a plethora of options with a Powell trade: a number of combinations of young players, draft picks and expiring contracts for future flexibility.