THE RUMOR: Raptors All-Star guard Kyle Lowry has been interested in returning home to play for the 76ers and the team is prepared to make the pending unrestricted free agent a lucrative contract offer this summer.
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REPORTED BY: The Philadelphia Inquirer
THE DETAILS: Lowry attended Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia and spent two seasons at Villanova before leaving for the NBA. The Raptors acquired Lowry in a trade from the Rockets in 2012 and the general manager responsible in obtaining the three-time All-Star was Bryan Colangelo, who is now the president of basketball operations and general manager of the Sixers. The two have remained good friends since the trade per the Inquirer.
THIS PAST SEASON: Lowry, 31, enjoyed career-best season with 3.2 3-pointers per game, 41.2 percent from beyond the arc in 37.4 minutes per game. The 6-1 guard averaged 22.4 points, 7.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Raptors. He sat out with an ankle injury Sunday as the Cavs swept the Raptors and missed 21 games during the regular season after undergoing wrist surgery.
OUR TAKE: After the Raptors were swept, Lowry made it clear he wants to play for a championship contender and despite improvements to their roster, the Sixers aren't the answer. Could a max contract change is mind? It might make him think about making a return to Philadelphia but he'll be 32-years-old by the time the playoffs roll around next season.
If Lowry truly wants a ring, he'll likely have to leave millions on dollars on the table. According to ESPN, Lowry will give legit thought to a free-agent switch to the Western Conference. Depending on Chris Paul's opt-out decision there could be an opening in Los Angeles with a likely need for a point guard in San Antonio after the aging Tony Parker is likely miss up to eight months after rupturing his left quadriceps tendon. The likely destination for Lowry is to remain with the Raptors, who made it clear they are willing to pay him over $200 million over five seasons and make other moves to "keep up with the big boys."