Report: The Miami Heat Are Pursuing A Trade For Kyle Lowry And Are Expected To Sign LaMarcus Aldridge. Is The Miami Heat The Biggest Threat For The Brooklyn Nets?

Since the beginning of the season, reports have surfaced that the Miami Heat are interested in trading for Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry. Lowry has averaged 17.6 PTS, 7.4 AST, 5.6 REB, and 1.1 STLwhile shooting the basketball at 43%. Lowry has produced All-Star numbers once again at 34-years-old but was not selected for the All-Star game due to the Raptors demise this season. 

Toronto is currently on a nine-game losing streak and holds the longest streak after last night’s loss to the Houston Rockets, who lost 20 games straight. The Raptors have been up and down this season, and while they have shown flashes of playoff potential, this team will most likely miss the playoffs. Teams like the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and New York Knicks have emerged as viable playoff contenders. All three of those organizations have a much better record and have made some considerable upgrades. 

Having Toronto miss the playoffs is a weird idea as they have consistently made it for almost 10 years. However, all great things must come to an end, including their incredible playoff streak. With the Raptors potentially missing the playoffs this season, it may be a good idea to trade away some veterans like Kyle Lowry in hopes of pursuing a rebuild. The NBA trade deadline is approaching quickly, which means that this is the only time the Raptors can trade away multiple players. 

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, The Miami Heat have been trying their hardest to trade for the former All-Star. Numerous times, the Miami Heat have reached out to Toronto to acquire Lowry, but the Raptors made it clear that he is not available. With Miami continuing to push for a trade, let’s look at what the trade could consist of. 

The Miami Heat are currently the fourth seed and have had arguably the best stretch of games since they started to pick up a winning pace. At the start of the season, Miami was crippled with injuries mixed with unfortunate illnesses. They had a slow start to the season, but once their roster became healthy, they quickly returned to their 2020 playoff form. While they have 6 of their last 10 games, the Miami Heat are clearly title contenders in the Eastern Conference as long as they all remain healthy. 

Despite how well the Heat has been recently playing, they are still nowhere near the Philadelphia 76ers (when healthy) and the Brooklyn Nets, who have an overwhelmingly deep roster. Last season the Heat had the best depth in the NBA and was one of the primary reasons they reached the 2020 NBA finals. However, the Nets, Bucks and 76ers have all beefed up their bench units while the Heat took a slight hit in their bench units. Losing a player like Jae Crowder hurts more than the Heat realized; however, they are the current favourites in signing LaMarcus Aldridge from free agency, who would instantly become the starting power forward.

Attaining Aldridge could be relatively straightforward, but trading for Lowry will be far more difficult. With no trade offers surfacing, Miami’s best offer would consist of the following players. 

Toronto receives- Goran Dragic, Avery Bradley, Kendrick Nunn, a 2022 first-round pick and a 2025 first-round pick

Miami receives- Kyle Lowry

The Toronto Raptors need to enter a rebuild if they want another championship. The reality is, this team is no longer a championship-contending team and needs to head into a rebuild. By making this trade, the Raptors receive two unprotected first-round picks, with the 2025 pick having great value. Toronto also receives Kendrick Nunn, a quality young guard that could be the Raptors new franchise point guard to build alongside Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. Goran Dragic is a solid replacement for Lowry as he could bring 18 points and 6 assists if given a quality role. The only outlier is Avery Bradley, who is added to this trade for salary reasons. 

If the Miami Heat can attain Kyle Lowry, they would instantly be title contenders and the biggest threat to the Miami Heat. Lowry is one of those players where any team he goes; he will make them better as long as everyone knows their roles. Miami is looking to win a championship, and by trading for Lowry and signing LaMarcus Aldridge, they can shock the world again and win an NBA title.