Kyle Lowry, the veteran point guard for the Toronto Raptors, has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat. According to reports, the Raptors will receive Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic in the sign-and-trade deal. The contract Kyle Lowry signs will be for three seasons and is worth $90 million. The Raptors finished 27-45 this season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013, due to travel restrictions imposed by Canada during the coronavirus pandemic. Last season, Lowry averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in 34.8 minutes per game (on 44/40/88 shooting splits).
Lowry confirmed reports of his sign and trade with Miami via a post on his Twitter. Many consider him to be the greatest Raptor of all time, so it’s fitting that his final move with the team was a sign-and-trade to ensure Toronto received some assets. Lowry was the subject of trade rumors during most of Toronto’s disastrous season. He was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers. All of these teams being title contenders who were looking for a point guard. As Kyle Lowry signs with the heat, he leaves the Raptors as the team’s all-time leader in 3-pointers, assists, steals, and triple-doubles.
Lowry will join the Heat team with close friend Jimmy Butler and rising All-Star center Bam Adebayo. Miami attempts to retool after being swept in the first round of the playoffs by the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks. Miami made a splash in free agency, signing not only Lowry but also re-signing 3-point specialist Duncan Robinson. The 27-year-old sharpshooter is on a five-year deal for roughly $90 million. Also, Jimmy Butler expects to sign a contract extension at would pay him an average of $45 million per year.