Although some may argue otherwise, the Los Angeles Lakers have apparently been putting in good work toward finding a potential trade that would get them closer to that elite level.
According to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt, veteran Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry has been “linked” to the Lakers in terms of a potential trade.
Via USA Today:
“The Heat are notoriously tight-lipped about their plans. But around the league, it’s believed the Heat are willing to shed Kyle Lowry’s contract, which pays him $29.6 million in 2023-24. The Heat, who reached the Finals in 2020 and the conference finals last season, are 21-20 and in eighth place. Lowry is another player who has been linked to a potential deal with the Lakers, and Minnesota sending D’Angelo Russell to Miami for Lowry would net the Heat an expiring contract.”
Lowry is someone L.A. has been interested in for a while. During the 2020-21 season, the team reportedly turned down an opportunity to acquire him for a package including Talen Horton-Tucker. Then, that offseason, it was still reportedly looking to bring him in as a free agent.
Instead, Lowry joined the Miami Heat, where he had a decent year last season, but this season, the 36-year-old’s production has dropped off precipitously.
He is shooting just 39.8 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from 3-point range, and it looks like he can no longer justify his sizable contract, which expires in the summer of 2024.