Eastern Conference rivals linked to former Miami Heat point guard

Since being traded as part of the deal to acquire Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets, Kyle Lowry has yet to find a new NBA home.

Lowry, 37, has yet to suit up for Charlotte as the Hornets try to re-trade Lowry before Thursday’s deadline. If they cannot trade him, several reports indicate that he could negotiate a buyout.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Lowry’s potential landing spots include many of Miami’s biggest rivals in the Eastern Conference.

Former Miami Heat point guard Kyle Lowry could help an East rival make a run to the Finals.

“Lowry is projected to have considerable interest on the buyout market if no trade materializes and should he decide to seek a settlement of what’s left of his $29.7 million expiring contract from Charlotte to become a free agent,” Stein wrote in his latest Substack newsletter. 

“The 76ers, Lakers and Magic are among the teams known to possess interest in Lowry if he becomes an unrestricted free agent — with Orlando also in the mix as a team that has expressed exploratory trade interest in the former NBA championship-winning point guard as well.”

Of those teams, Philadelphia appears to make the most sense on paper. Lowry is a Philadelphia native, still has family in the area and can join a team with a chance to compete for a title. However, Joel Embiid’s recent meniscus injury clouds the 76ers’ strategy at the deadline.

The Magic make some sense, too. Miami’s division rival is in need of more point guard play, especially the kind of table-setting Lowry can provide. With All-Star Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner leading the offense, the Magic don’t need much scoring production from the position. In Lowry, they could acquire a player capable of making open 3s and mentoring young guards such as Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black and Markelle Fultz.

One other team to watch for Lowry could be the New York Knicks. Tom Thibodeau’s team is currently fourth in the East and is on the hunt to improve. Lowry would be a reliable bench option behind starting point guard and All-Star Jalen Brunson. He would also join a stable of fellow Villanova alums such as Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart.

Wherever Lowry lands, he should make a positive impact on the locker room and provide valuable coaching to his teammates. Nobody questioned those traits in Miami, but ultimately his contract was not worth his modest on-the-court production and the Heat sought an upgrade. 

Those contract concerns won’t be a factor in his value if he negotiates a buyout with the Hornets and signs a smaller deal with an East rival.