NBA Rumors: 2 Big Name Teams Most Likely Kyle Lowry Landing Spots

When Kyle Lowry was shipped by the Miami Heat to the Charlotte Hornets, the chances that he would ever actually play a game for the Hornets were slim and none. Now NBA Insider Jake Fischer is confirming as much, writing that Lowry "is not expected to join the Hornets prior to the trade deadline, league sources told Yahoo Sports, and will likely remain away from the franchise" while they sort out his next landing spot. 

Whether it be by trade, or on the buyout market after the deadline, Fischer denotes the Philadelphia 76ers as one of the front-running destinations for Lowry, calling the Sixers "a real possibility." 

Philadelphia 76ers a real possibility to sign Kyle Lowry if bought out by the Hornets; per @JakeLFischer

“Lowry is not expected to join the Hornets prior to the trade deadline and will likely remain away from the franchise while the future of the respected 18-year veteran gets… pic.twitter.com/xCj5CL8fk2

— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) January 26, 2024

This makes sense for a ton of reasons, most notably that Lowry is Philly-born and it would be a great way for him to play out his career, plus the fact that he would very likely be rejuvenated by a reunion with his former head coach Nick Nurse, with whom he won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors.

The other important factor playing into Lowry being able to sign in Philly as a buyout candidate is that the Sixers are one of the few contenders who would be able to sign him due to the league's new rules stating that only teams that are below the first luxury tax apron can sign a player who was bought out from a contract higher than this year’s mid-level exception of $12.4 million.

Kyle Lowry is a name to watch for the Lakers, per @jovanbuha

“According to team and league sources, Kyle Lowry, who could be available if he’s bought out by Charlotte after being traded there from Miami this week, is one name to watch for the Lakers.”

(Via… pic.twitter.com/5S0IIXv1N5

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 26, 2024

Never to be outdone when it comes to rumors about a big name on the market, the Los Angeles Lakers are also said to be in the running for Lowry's services, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic. The 18-year veteran "is one to watch for the Lakers," writes Buha, according to team and league sources.

This wouldn't be the first time Lowry has been connected to the Lakers, as they were interested in him a few years back when the Raptors were looking to deal him at the deadline as he approached free agency. At that time, LA refused to part with Talen Horton-Tucker to put the kibosh on that proposed trade. 

But the Lakers are looking for a new floor leader to replace D'Angelo Russell, and perhaps they give Lowry another look. 

The 37-year-old was averaging 8.2 points and 4.0 assists in 28 minutes a night for the Heat in 37 games. Those are all his lowest numbers since 2009. 

 Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports