NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 potential destinations for Kyle Lowry

2. San Antonio Spurs

Any Chris Paul to the Spurs buzz can be tempered by a tough salary cap situation heading into the offseason. If Pau Gasol and David Lee exercise player options the cap situation will get even tighter, but in Gasol’s case it could open up the possibility to trade him or he could opt-out and come back on a cheaper deal. A trade of underachiever Danny Green (due $10 million next season) would start to create some needed financial relief, with trades of LaMarcus Aldridge or Tony Parker far less likely.

Lowry may want to cross over to the Western Conference for a change of scenery, but he’ll have some options in free agency if he wants them. In terms of market value compared to other free agent point guards, he’s below the max Paul can get from the Clippers and above guys like Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague and Jrue Holiday, maybe in the $25-$30 million per year range. $30 million a year is what Mike Conley got from the Memphis Grizzlies last summer, and Lowry is at least an equivalent player. If he’s willing to take a relative discount, a short deal or some combination of both, San Antonio being in the mix for Lowry is not out of the question.

The Spurs seem like the only immediate Western Conference challenger to the supremacy of the Golden State Warriors. Playing for Gregg Popovich is an obvious selling point, and if Lowry is ready to chase a ring he’ll surely give the Spurs a look.