3/12/20
Knicks acquire all-star Lowry from Raptors
A potentially power-shifting trade happened in the eastern conference today. The New York Knicks acquired all-star point guard Kyle Lowry from the Toronto Raptors. The 34 year-old heads to the Knicks in exchange for several expiring contacts and draft picks.
The sixth-seeded Knicks will pair Lowry with fellow all-star DeMarcus Cousins. The supporting cast around them isn't too bad either, with Julius Randle, Dennis Smith Jr, RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Frank Ntilikina and Allonzo Trier. Suddenly this team looks like it could challenge the likes of Boston, Philadelphia and Milwaukee in the eastern playoff race.
Even at his advanced age, Lowry is still contributing nearly 18 points and 8 assist per game this season. That is particularly impressive when you factor in how poorly the Raptors have been playing. He could very well be the piece that the Knicks need to take their offense to another level. DeMarcus Cousins is finally back fit and playing great basketball. He is averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds per game and has got the crowds at MSG excited again.
Currently sitting in sixth place with a 12-11 record, the Knicks are well placed to become legitimate contenders.
Toronto pulling the trigger on this deal seems to suggest that they are giving up on this season and the championship potential of their current group of players. They sit rock bottom of the eastern conference after a disastrous 2-20 start to the season and show no signs of improving.
Masai Ujiri has decided to move on from the likes of Lowry, Marc Gasol and possibly even Serge Ibaka. Those three are all in their thirties and on expiring contracts, so it also makes sense to trade them whilst he can still extract some value from them. The team will now be restructured around Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OJ Anunoby and Nico Mannion.
Draft experts are calling the upcoming 2021 draft the deepest in a while, so adding an extra first rounder from the Knicks will be good for the Raptors. If the draft were held today Toronto would hold picks #1 and #15.
The other thing that trading away Lowry does is it frees up a big chunk of salary cap space which could have been used if he had re-signed with the Raptors. This room will no doubt be allocated for the pursuit of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who may be a free agent at the end of the season.
New York receive
Kyle Lowry - 34 - PG - $31.2m - 1 year (86)
Cameron Payne - 26 - PG - $2m - 1 year (75)
Mamadi Diakite - 23 - PF - $900k - 1 year (71)
Projected line-up:
DeMarcus Cousins - Julius Randle - Kevin Knox - RJ Barrett - Kyle Lowry
Reserves:
Dennis Smith Jr, Mitchell Robinson, Frank Ntilikina, Allonzo Trier, Kahlil Whitney, Kris Wilkes, Cameron Payne, Mamadi Diakite, Ignas Brazdeikis, Reggie Perry
Toronto receive
Bobby Portis - 25 - C - $15.8m - 1 year (80)
Elfrid Payton - 26 - PG - $8m - 1 year (78)
Taj Gibson - 35 - PF - $9.5m - 1 year (77)
Knicks 2021 1st rounder (Top 3 protected)
Knicks 2022 2nd rounder
Knicks 2024 2nd rounder
Projected line-up:
Marc Gasol - Pascal Siakam - OG Anunoby - Norman Powell - Fred VanVleet
Reserves:
Serge Ibaka, Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson, Matt Thomas, Mario Hezonja, Patrick McCaw, Nico Mannion, Chris Boucher, Dewan Hernandez