During the trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers made four trades, including the addition of players like Buddy Hield and Cameron Payne.
However, with the buyout market still open, Daryl Morey and the Sixers’ front staff may not be finished yet. Kyle Lowry, a native of Philadelphia, is one possible target.
Lowry began the season with the Miami Heat and played in 37 games for Erik Spoelstra before being dealt from South Beach to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Terry Rozier and first-round choices.
The Hornets reportedly made an effort to trade the 37-year-old in the days that followed the transaction, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who also stated that the team planned to keep acquiring future assets.
“Charlotte is discussing other deals on its veteran players ahead of the trade deadline and plans to continue accumulating assets,” Wojnarowski stated.
However, Lowry’s low level of interest in the Hornets created an opportunity for another probable departure via contract buyout, which NBA Insider Marc Stein had alluded to as a possibility.
“A buyout can certainly be considered likely when it comes to Lowry,” said Stein.
The NBA insider continued by saying that the Sixers were one of the clubs who attempted to sign the former NBA champion.
“I’m told that Philadelphia is among the teams that would indeed have interest in Lowry, who turns 38 in March if he negotiates a settlement with the Hornets on what’s left of his expiring $29.7 million salary,” said the NBA insider.
Something like this might potentially materialize as a result of a trade Philadelphia made on Thursday.
The contracts of Danuel House Jr. and Jaden Springer have been released from the salary cap, which, according to Spotrac, is equivalent to almost six million dollars. This means that, should a buyout occur, Lowry could potentially be brought in.
In his time with the Heat this season, Lowry averaged eight points on 42 percent shooting from the field, so if he were to be added, he would provide another offensive spark off the bench.
In addition, it would give Lowry a homecoming, which had been speculated about previously, and it would bring him back together with former head coach Nick Nurse, under whom he had previously played for the Miami Heat.
After spending the first part of the season with the Miami Heat and making 37 appearances for Erik Spoelstra, Lowry was dealt by South Beach to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Terry Rozier and first round picks.
The 37-year-old’s trade was reportedly the subject of intense negotiations in the days that followed, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski claiming that the Hornets would also be looking to acquire future assets.
“Charlotte is discussing other deals on its veteran players ahead of the trade deadline and plans to continue accumulating assets,” Wojnarowski said.
However, Lowry’s lack of interest in the Hornets left the door for another possible departure via a contract buyout, which NBA Insider Marc Stein speculated may happen.
“A buyout can certainly be considered likely when it comes to Lowry,” Stein said.
The NBA insider continued by saying that teams were considering the Sixers as a potential trade partner for the former NBA champion.
“I’m told that Philadelphia is among the teams that would indeed have interest in Lowry, who turns 38 in March if he negotiates a settlement with the Hornets on what’s left of his expiring $29.7 million salary,” stated the NBA insider.
One of the trades Philadelphia made on Thursday may now lead to this happening.
The door is now open for Lowry to be brought in if a buyout does occur because Danuel House Jr. and Jaden Springer’s contracts have been released from the salary cap, which is equivalent to almost six million dollars, according to Spotrac.