Since the formation of the Big Three, the Miami Heat have never had a true point guard running the offense. That could change this summer.
ESPN Heat reporter Brian Windhorst suggests former Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry and Miami have mutual interest. Lowry, the top free-agent point guard this summer, could be a fit for the Heat if LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all opt of our their current deals and are willing to accept pay cuts.
Lowry is coming off of a career year with Toronto. He averaged 17.9 points and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc, all of which were career-best marks. In addition, he shot 42 percent from the floor.
After the Raptors were bounced out of the first round of the playoffs, there was an indication that they remained the favorite to retain Lowry this summer. Lowry told reporters he had the best core of teammates in Toronto and he’s very happy where he was. The Raptors have upwards of $12. 8 million in salary cap room this offseason and can afford to not only pay Lowry but upgrade his surrounding cast.
In addition to the Heat, the Toronto Star expects the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers both to make a push for Lowry.
I am sure there is interest in Lowry from the Indiana Pacers (I think he’d be an upgrade over George Hill), I would imagine the Lakers would take a look, too. And if I was inclined to do it, and at this moment this morning I’m not, I bet there’s a dozen other “fits” that would make sense for a 28-year-old point guard coming off the best season of his career. That’s simply pure logic and it’s going to continue right up until Lowry decides in the first week of July exactly where he’d like to spend the next three or four years of his career.
And that’s why I don’t think fans should get all hot and bothered about the stories, they are logical and sensible and to fret really doesn’t do anyone any good, does it?
The Raptors like Lowry a lot, too. He’s a bit of a priority in off-season signings and both Masai and Tim Leiweke have said they expect to get something done.
But it was never like it was going to be a slam dunk and that they would be bidding or negotiating against no one and the fact a story or two are out there now can’t be a shocker.
In Miami, Lowry would be a surefire upgrade over Mario Chalmers, who struggled mightily in the NBA Finals. He could be Steve Nash‘s successor in Los Angeles, and could make George Hill expendable in Indiana.
