Kyle Lowry could be on his way to the 305.
The Heat are emerging as a serious contender to land the Raptors point guard, according to ESPN.
Miami has reportedly made moves to create a potential sign-and-trade package that includes guard Goran Dragic and forward Precious Achiuwa to present to Toronto once the free agency window opens at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
The Heat are unable to sign Lowry, 35, on the spot because they don’t have the salary-cap space. Therefore maneuvering a solid package to offer the Raptors is their best option to acquire the six-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion.
The Heat picked up the option on Dragic’s $19.4 million contract for the 2021-2022 season, making him a good trade asset for opposing teams.
Achiuwa, who was selected by the Heat with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, impressed in his rookie season.
Lowry, who collected $30 million in the final year of his contract, is looking for a similar amount as the starting annual salary in what he hopes to be a multi-year deal, according to ESPN, which reported both New Orleans and Dallas have a strong interest in Lowry and have the cap space to sign him. However, the two teams are reportedly starting to search elsewhere for starting point guard help as Miami takes the lead in the race for Lowry.
A Lowry-Heat union would add a veteran point guard to an already developed team with a solid core led by Jimmy Butler — someone Lowry has reportedly been long intrigued to play alongside. The two have been close since they joined forces on Team USA at the 2016 Olympics.
Miami is coming off a somber 40-32 season after a triumphant finals run in the NBA Bubble in 2020 — where they were two wins away from the Larry O’Brien championship trophy that was won by the Lakers. Lowry could be the missing piece Miami needs to get back to the finals.
Lowry, who arrived in Toronto in 2012, is currently the longest-tenured Raptor on the roster. He helped lead the team to its first-ever championship in 2019, alongside Kawhi Leonard, who’s also a free agent after declining his $36 million player option with the Clippers for the 2021-22 season.