May 2021 Toronto Raptors Wiretap

Heat, Celtics, Knicks, Pelicans, Raptors Preparing To Pursue Bradley Beal

Mar 29, 2021 11:19 AM

Bradley Beal will be a free agent in 2022 so while he and the Washington Wizards have wanted to remain together, a long-term decision is impending.

League sources tell Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer that Beal's decision to play through this season with Washington is as much a commitment to give things a try with Russell Westbrook at is about making a life-altering decision during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources add that the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans are among the teams with interest in pursuing Beal. One league source also states that the Toronto Raptors are a sleep team for Beal, which may have contributed to Masai Ujiri's reluctance to trade away Kyle Lowry since he believes they can contend again next season.

A number of other teams have also been linked to Beal by other media outlets, most notably the Golden State Warriors.

Kevin O'Connor/The Ringer

Tags: Bradley Beal, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kyle Lowry Preferred Joining Heat Over 76ers, Lakers

Mar 29, 2021 11:10 AM

The Miami Heat were Kyle Lowry's preferred team if he was traded at the deadline, sources tell Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer. Lowry's close friendship with Jimmy Butler is cited as the driving force of that preference.

The Heat can realistically create approximately $26 million in cap space while keeping the cap holds of Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn. While it would be short of max cap space, it is the type of number Lowry is reportedly seeking in free agency.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers were the two other teams to pursue Lowry at the deadline and neither will have cap space. 

Beyond Miami, the only teams projected to have cap space are the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. Toronto is likely the only other threat to the Heat in their efforts to sign Lowry.

Kevin O'Connor/The Ringer

Tags: Kyle Lowry, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia Sixers, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Felt 'Very Close' To Deal With 76ers On Kyle Lowry

Mar 26, 2021 11:25 AM

The Toronto Raptors believed they were "very close" to a trade agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers involving Kyle Lowry, a source with knowledge of the talks told Sam Amick of The Athletic.

The 76ers and Raptors had the final hurdle of draft compensation before reaching a deal. 

Danny Green, who would have been traded by the 76ers, was set to be moved to a third team. Philadelphia pivoted to a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for George Hill.

The Miami Heat were reluctant to include Tyler Herro, while the Los Angeles Lakers felt similarly about Talen Horton-Tucker.

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia Sixers, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Decide Against Trading Kyle Lowry

Mar 25, 2021 3:55 PM

The Toronto Raptors aggressively shopped Kyle Lowry leading to the trade deadline, but ultimately decided to keep him.

The Raptors held talks with the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers. Toronto is believed to have been holding out for the Lakers to include Talen Horton-Tucker, or the Heat to include Tyler Herro.

Lowry will be a free agent this offseason.

"Masai didn't find a deal compelling enough to make the trade," said Adrian Wojnarowski.

"It seems unlikely he would be part of their long-term plans."

While it was a "surprise" for Lowry to stay with the Raptors, he was comfortable finishing the season with the team.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Trade Terrence Davis To Kings For 2nd Round Pick

Mar 25, 2021 2:54 PM

The Toronto Raptors have agreed to trade Terrence Davis to the Sacramento Kings for a second round pick.

The move unloads another roster spot for the Raptors.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Trade Matt Thomas To Jazz For 2nd Round Pick

Mar 25, 2021 2:12 PM

The Toronto Raptors have agreed to trade Matt Thomas to the Utah Jazz for a second round pick. The second round pick originates from the Golden State Warriors this season.

The deal presumably allows the Raptors to create a roster spot as part of a trade of Kyle Lowry.

Thomas is averaging 7.4 minutes per game this season and shooting 41.5 percent on three-pointers.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Matt Thomas, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Holding Out For Talen Horton-Tucker Or Tyler Herro In Kyle Lowry Talks

Mar 25, 2021 2:07 PM

The Toronto Raptors are seriously engaged with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat on a Kyle Lowry trade.

The Lakers are offering a deal built around Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dennis Schroder.

Miami is offering a package centered on Duncan Robinson.

The Raptors are holding out for either Talen Horton-Tucker to be included by the Lakers, or Tyler Herro from the Heat. Horton-Tucker will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

Lowry prefers a trade to the Heat currently after the Philadelphia 76ers moved on with their trade for George Hill.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Blazers Acquire Norman Powell From Raptors For Gary Trent, Rodney Hood

Mar 25, 2021 12:49 PM

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to acquire Norman Powell from the Toronto Raptors for Gary Trent and Rodney Hood.

Powell is on an expiring contract and is having a career season.

Trent will be a restricted free agent.

The Blazers re-signed Hood on a two-year, $21 million deal in the offseason.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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76ers, Lakers In Lead For Kyle Lowry Ahead Of Heat

Mar 25, 2021 11:53 AM

The Toronto Raptors have signaled that the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers are the two leading contenders to trade for Kyle Lowry with the Miami Heat in third, according to Brian Windhorst on ESPN's First Take.

The Heat still have a window to improve their offer to the Raptors for Lowry.

Windhorst added that Lowry is preparing to be traded to the 76ers.

The Lakers would need to send a combination of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dennis Schroder and Wesley Matthews. The Lakers have had interest in signing Schroder to an extension and the Raptors are believed to have interest in pursuing him in free agency.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Kyle Lowry, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia Sixers, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors 'Seriously Engaged' With Lakers, 76ers, Heat On Kyle Lowry Trade

Mar 25, 2021 10:33 AM

The Toronto Raptors are "seriously engaged" with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers on a trade of Kyle Lowry.

The Heat and 76ers have been linked to Lowry for several weeks, while the Lakers emerged publicly this week.

Lowry is on an expiring contract with the Raptors and one general manager commented privately that he was essentially having his free agency this week.

"As of [Wednesday], the Raptors weren't thrilled with their offers for Kyle Lowry," said Brian Windhorst on First Take. "They're basically negotiating with only two teams, with Miami and Philadelphia. From what I can glean from people I've talked to, neither one of them are putting the premium, premium package they can offer for Kyle Lowry and that's frustrated the Raptors a little bit. 

"Part of the issue is that Kyle Lowry wants a contract extension, or at least a new contract after this season somewhere in the neighborhood of $25 million per year over two years. And that's an issue for Philadelphia and that could contribute to their hesitancy."

Windhorst expects Lowry to be traded to either the Heat or 76ers by the trade deadline.

"I frankly do not believe that is true," said Windhorst of rumors linking Lowry to the Lakers suggesting it is a smokescreen from Toronto to get the 76ers and Heat to improve the offers.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Kyle Lowry, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia Sixers, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kyle Lowry On Trade Deadline: 'No One Knows What's Going To Happen'

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Lakers Emerge As Possible Kyle Lowry Trade Partner

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Raptors In Trade Talks On Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Kyle Lowry Seeking Two-Year, $50M Extension From Potential New Team

Keith Pompey/Philadelphia Inquirer

Raptors Fine Pascal Siakam $50,000 For Verbal Exchange With Nick Nurse

Shams Charania/The Athletic

GM: Kyle Lowry's Free Agency Is Happening Right Now

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Pistons, Raptors, Spurs, Wizards Expected To Pursue Jarrett Allen In Restricted Free Agency

Chris Haynes/Yahoo! Sports

Execs Expect Norm Powell To Receive $20M Per Season In Free Agency

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Pistons, Heat, Raptors Interested In Spencer Dinwiddie

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Kyle Lowry Wants To Compete For Title; Heat, 76ers Considered Two Leaders If Traded

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Heat Pursuing Kyle Lowry Trade, LaMarcus Aldridge If Bought Out

Kevin O'Connor/The Ringer

Nick Nurse Fined $50K For Throwing Face Mask, Inappropriate Language Towards Ref

Marc Stein/The New York Times

Raptors Telling Teams They Don't Intend To Trade Kyle Lowry

Josh Lewenberg/TSN

Exec: I Think It's Going To Be A Boring Deadline

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Chad Sanders Named G League Executive Of The Year

RealGM Staff Report

Kyle Lowry's Salary Could Result In Him 'Staying Put' At Deadline

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Henry Ellenson Agrees To 10-Day Contract With Raptors

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Yuta Watanabe Has Top-Selling Jersey In Japan, Raptors Most Popular Team

Blake Murphy/The Athletic

Kyle Lowry Refutes Report He's Telling People He Expects To Be Traded

RealGM Staff Report

Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Spurs, Suns Interested In Alize Johnson

Kevin O'Connor/The Ringer