NBA Trade Rumors: Kyle Lowry has a list of preferred trade destinations

There are three teams listed as reported trade destinations for Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry.

This season, the Toronto Raptors were expected to be contenders in the Eastern Conference, especially after they retained Fred VanVleet on a long-term deal. Instead, the Raptors sit in fifth place in the conference standings with a 16-17 record, where there are five teams that are half a game behind them.

With the trade deadline approaching on March 25, there is a chance that the Raptors could choose to trade away point guard Kyle Lowry, who hits free agency at the end of the year. But where would he go?

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers could become potential trade destinations for Lowry. As for preference, a source told Pompey that Lowry would like to be traded to the 76ers.

Lowry a free agent after this season

A trade is all dependent if Lowry wants to go elsewhere. In fact, a league source told Pompey that the Raptors would like to reward him for his nine seasons of hard work by trading him to a contending team.

Lowry’s reported preference to play for the 76ers should not come as a shock, as the guard is a Philadelphia native. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, played for Cardinal Dougherty High School and attended college at Villanova, where his jersey number is retired. A homecoming for Lowry would be awesome if that were to come to pass.

The 76ers currently sit atop the Eastern Conference and center Joel Embiid is having an MVP-caliber season. If there is any team that would be willing to take on Lowry’s salary, where he is making a total of $30 million this season, it is the Sixers.

The Clippers present themselves as a desirable destination for Lowry, as he gets the opportunity to play alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, while also reuniting with former Raptors teammate Serge Ibaka. The Heat is a curious landing spot for Lowry, as they sit in eighth-place as of this writing with a 15-17 season. However, they were hammered by injuries and players being placed in the health and safety protocols, so a second-half resurgence could be in the cards.

Through 26 games this season, Lowry is averaging 18.0 points, 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds, while shooting 46.1-percent from the field and 39.5-percent from the three-point line.

There is still plenty of basketball to be played and it is quite possible that the Raptors can rebound prior to the trade deadline. But if things continue to sour, Lowry has his options.