KEY POINTS

  • The Sixers are said to be willing to part ways with Tyrese Maxey to acquire Kyle Lowry
  • The Raptors are reportedly holding discussions to deal away Lowry and Powell
  • Maxey's full potential could be unleashed under the watch of Raptors coach Nick Nurse

The Philadelphia 76ers know they need a proven guard to help in their campaign, and Kyle Lowry appears to be it.

Rumors have it that the Toronto Raptors are planning to make roster changes with the 34-year-old’s name as one of them.

Lowry is in the final year of his deal with the Raptors, a reason why pundits feel that an NBA trade is forthcoming.

Interest in the six-time All-Star remains high even though he has gone through some injury-riddled seasons. According to ESPN, discussions have been made involving Lowry and another Raptors player in Norman Powell.

But as far as the Sixers is concerned, Philly has already come up with a package that could snag the one-time NBA champion. According to HoopsHype, it includes rookie Tyrese Maxey plus more undisclosed assets.

Maxey has not exactly performed well to be considered an NBA Rookie of the Year awardee. However, he has shown potential to be a star in the league, something that may entice Nick Nurse who has managed to bring out the best in young players like Paschal Siakam.

As of this writing, Lowry’s future remains unknown. He did mention his desire to stay in Toronto, but all that may no longer be in his hands.

Other than the Sixers, the Miami Heat have also been identified as a potential stop, another team in need of veteran playmaking leadership.

Like the Sixers, the Heat are also willing to give up multiple assets that could interest the Raptors. As mentioned in a previous post, Kendrick Nunn, Goran Dragic and Kelly Olynyk have been tagged as possible offers that the South Beach club may dangle to Philly.

Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors Getty Images | Douglas P. DeFelice

Of those names, Nunn could be the player that may draw the interest of Nurse who knows he needs to make changes to help infuse new life into the NBA club’s campaign.

The Raptors are now at the 11th spot of the Eastern Conference standings with a 17-26 record. Moreover, they are on a nine-game losing streak.

The Raptors are four games behind the eighth-seeded Boston Celtics. Unless they find a new face to re-energize them, the former NBA champions may find themselves on an early summer vacation.

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