Opinion: Time to Deal Kyle Lowry: Toronto Raptors Should Embrace the Rebuild

Should the Miami Heat Trade Kyle Lowry?

After a thrilling playoff run that took them all the way to the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat suffered defeat to the Denver Nuggets. In light of this, there have been various recommendations on how the roster can be tweaked and improved to make the team championship contenders once again. One such recommendation has been the trading of veteran point guard Kyle Lowry and his expiring contract.

The Case for Trading Lowry

According to Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, the Heat have to move on from Lowry and his expiring contract if they are to bolster their roster. Bailey argues that if the Heat aspire to acquire some talent this offseason, trading Lowry can provide them some cap space, given his enormous contract. Unless the team is willing to trade Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro, Lowry’s deal is probably the most movable. Bailey believes that a team in need of opening up cap space in 2024 might be willing to give up real value to acquire a deal that will end that summer.

On the financial side, Lowry’s $29.7 million salary for next season is a considerable amount for a player who has seen his playing time reduced. The Heat had started Gabe Vincent over Lowry, and this had a significant positive impact on the team. Vincent is much younger and better suited to the Heat’s play style and team ethos. While Lowry’s six All-Star appearances cannot be disputed, his on-court behavior and inconsistent display of form have left some fans and analysts underwhelmed.

Why the Heat Should Keep Lowry

Despite a decline in form and the emergence of young, talented point guards like Gabe Vincent, the Miami Heat might want to keep Kyle Lowry. Despite Bailey’s claims, Lowry’s trade value may not be as high as some think. Teams looking to acquire talent in the offseason may shy away from Lowry’s massive contract, given his age and questionable form. Additionally, Lowry brings massive amounts of experience and leadership to the Heat locker room. He has been in the league since 2006 and has accumulated valuable experience that could be beneficial to the team’s future.

From a style of play standpoint, Lowry’s bullish, high-energy gameplay is similar to that of Jimmy Butler. They would complement each other well on the court, and Lowry’s selfless style of play would make him a versatile asset coming off the bench. While Vincent’s performance has been extraordinary, an inability to maintain his form may cause problems next season.

Editorial

The Miami Heat’s 2022-23 postseason run was a beautiful underdog story that captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Gabe Vincent’s stunning breakout performance was one of the highlights of the postseason, and many Miami Heat fans would not mind Lowry being moved to make way for more talent down the line. Yet, as I’ve highlighted, keeping Lowry may be worthwhile for the leadership and experience he brings to the team. Trading him would also come at a reduced cost, given that it might not yield the desired results on the trade front.

Advice

Should the Miami Heat decide to keep Kyle Lowry, they could use him off the bench and bring him out to compliment Jimmy Butler’s game style. This way, they can manage his minutes and keep him fresh all season. They should also pick up Gabe Vincent’s contract and further develop him to be the future starting point guard.

If the Miami Heat decides to trade Lowry, they should seek to acquire a young and versatile player with a similar trading contract.