Report: Kyle Lowry Agrees to 3-Year Heat Contract in Sign-and-Trade with Raptors

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

After nine years, Kyle Lowry’s time in Toronto has come to a close.

The long-time Raptors point guard reportedly will sign a three-year deal with the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade agreement that will involved the Raptors, per Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports.

Lowry, 35, had another solid season for the Raptors, averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 assists and a steal per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from three. He appeared in just 46 contests, however, as the Raptors struggled through a difficult 27-45 season. 

Part of that was the team being displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions between the United States and Canada, forcing them to hold their “home” games in Tampa Bay. And part was the team pretty clearly transitioning to a new era of basketball likely to be built around Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby. 

Veterans like Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka signed elsewhere in free agency last summer. Norman Powell was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the trade deadline. And it seemed likely that Lowry would be dealt to a contender as well, giving him the chance to pursue a title. 

But the Raptors didn’t find a deal they liked and decided against trading him, a surprise considering that Lowry chose to leave the team this summer. 

It’s the end of an era, though Lowry will have the opportunity to pursue a title in Miami while the Raptors retool around younger players.

It isn’t shocking Lowry ended up in Miami, given his friendship with Jimmy Butler. And he’ll be an excellent fit alongside the talented core of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson (assuming he re-signs), giving the team a solid starting point guard. 

Lowry is also an upgrade on Dragic, making his signing a logical move for a Miami team that looks like a title contender with him in the fold. And if the Heat managed to also sign Lowry’s friend and longtime teammate, DeMar DeRozan, they’ll be a real threat in the East.