Kyle Lowry, Heat Rumors Continue; Trade Becoming More Realistic

Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry is no stranger to NBA trade rumors.

The 2016 Olympic gold medalist has been linked to several teams since arriving in Miami during the summer of 2021. Those rumors have mostly been smoke, though, with his expiring contract and his current team dynamics, it appears that the probability of the Heat trading him is higher than ever.

Latest on Kyle Lowry

According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the Heat are exploring trades involving Lowry.

The Heat continues to explore trades involving Lowry ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline, according to multiple league sources. Lowry holds value on the trade market with his sizable expiring $29.7 million salary.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ira WInderman went even further, indicating that a Lowry trade is “expected” to happen and that a trade could occur this week.

Lowry was recently removed from the starting lineup and he was vocal about his disappointment in the adjustment.

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“For me as a professional, of course I’m disappointed to have to adjust,” Lowry said, with the Heat idle until beginning a quick two-game homestand Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. “But I haven’t played well in the last couple weeks and I understand that coach has made a decision to try to move and shake some things and get in a different flow. So as a professional, of course it’s an adjustment. But I have to make it and figure out how to help the team win.”

Lowry will turn 38 at the end of March and he may be at the point in his career where he’s best suited for a bench role. After a few years of him being a mainstay with the Heat, it sounds like that could occur elsewhere.

Potential Lowry Destinations?

The Pelicans were linked to Lowry a few years ago, though that was before they acquired CJ McCollum. There hasn’t been substantial reports of New Orleans’ interest recently, though it’s possible that they could be in the market for a reserve guard—even at Lowry’s price point.

Prior to Tyrese Maxey‘s breakout, the Sixers had long been connected to the Villanova product. The Mavericks were reportedly in second place during the Lowry Free Agent sweepstakes back in 2021 and there were even rumors that Dallas was willing to surpass the value of Lowry’s three-year, $85 million deal with the Heat. Unless the team trades Kyrie Irving before the deadline, it’s hard to see the fit.

The Lakers have also been rumored to be interested in Lowry at several points during LeBron James‘ tenure in Los Angeles.

If the smoke around the Lakers trading for Dejounte Murray is true, it would seemingly rule out Lowry joining Darvin Ham‘s squad. However, Los Angeles is reportedly looking for a third team to take D’Angelo Russell and if Miami believes it can get the most out of the former No. 2 overall pick, perhaps there’s a deal to be made that sends Lowry to Atlanta (it’s worth noting that the Hawks in that scenario would have to include additional salary to take on Lowry’s $29.6 million figure).