Kyle Lowry Remains A 76er Despite Clippers Rumors

Veteran point guard Kyle Lowry plans to stay put in Philadelphia for the 2024-2025 season after getting an opportunity to play with his hometown 76ers last season. Lowry agreed to a one-year contract Thursday to remain in Philly despite speculation of the point guard leaving for Los Angeles.

The Clippers were interested in Lowry’s services and a reunion with Chris Paul to “stock up” backcourt depth as Rusell Westbrook had a $4 million player option for 2024.

Lowry played with the Miami Heat for roughly two and a half seasons before being shipped off to Charlotte in exchange for Terry Rozier. The veteran joined his hometown squad soon after being bought out by the Hornets. In 23 games, Lowry averaged eight points, 4.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds while shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Prior to joining the Heat in 2021, Lowry spent nine seasons with the Raptors, winning the 2018-19 NBA Finals over the Warriors alongside Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam. The point guard averaged 16.2 points in the NBA Finals that season and recorded 26 points in game six to clinch Toronto’s first title. The former Villanova Wildcat was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2006 draft.

Philadelphia also brought in Paul George as part of their roster overhaul. Lowry’s presence enables a leadership role for Tyrese Maxey while being a distributor to George and Joel Embiid.

President Daryl Morey also recruited Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon to increase veteran presence. The roster overhaul comes in response to a devastating first-round exit to the Knicks, who utilized late-game heroics from their star players to steal games that the Sixers were mere seconds away from winning. Philly hasn’t appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001.

Article by Christian Bongiorno