There’s no doubt Kyle Lowry is one of the top point guards soon to be available in the free agency market this year. Then again, his future landing spot will be more or less be dictated by the decision of this class’ no.1 playmaker – Chris Paul. Toronto Sun writer Steve Simmons provided his insight on Lowry’s free agency, and why the Los Angeles Clippers could turn into a potential suitor this summer.
Lowry – the Plan B Option
According to Simmons, the Clippers will exhaust all options to keep Paul in the fold for more seasons to come. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports viewed the Clips as the overwhelming favorite to sign the All-Star and All-NBA playmaker because of the money they can offer on the table.
However, ESPN is reporting that Paul has also a legitimate interest in playing with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge in San Antonio.
After failing to reach the Western Conference finals during his stint with the Clippers, the floor general will seriously consider seeking a new home where he can compete with West juggernaut Golden State Warriors and possibly the Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals. The Spurs are believed to be another star away from joining that elite ranks and breaking the Cavs-Warriors June festivities next season.
Should Paul eventually bolt out, Simmons expects the Clippers to shift to its plan B, and that’s luring Lowry to the City of Angels. The 31-year old Lowry averaged 22.4 points, 7.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game last season, but like any other stars in the Eastern Conference, his dreams of reaching the finals was crushed by LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
In addition, the Toronto Sun writer also thinks Lowry will also consider signing with the Spurs, if Gregg Popovich and his team are unable to get Paul’s services.
“Chris Paul is the point guard free agent everyone wants. Kyle Lowry is the Plan B if he is available. Should Paul go to San Antonio, I can see Lowry going to the Clippers, if the Raptors don’t re-sign him.
And I can see Lowry with the Spurs if Paul doesn’t go there,” per Simmons.
Masai Ujiri not worried about Lowry’s decision
Although the Raptors can offer a longer and more lucrative deal for Lowry, there’s no guarantee general manager Masai Ujiri will commit at least $200 million for a playmaker who is entering the twilight of his career.
Ujiri, who is the man credited for the Raptors’ resurgence the past three years, stressed in a recent interview he won’t be too worried about losing Lowry’s services because it is his job to make the team competitive with or without the All-Star guard.
"No, to be honest, it doesn’t," Ujiri told Sportsnet’s Tim and Sid Show three weeks ago. "What's my job? My job is to make it happen [re-sign Lowry]. Or my job is to figure it out, if it doesn't happen, where we go from here."
