Heat urged to trade Kyle Lowry after losing NBA Finals

One NBA writer believes the Miami Heat should trade veteran point guard Kyle Lowry this offseason.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks the Heat, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals, have to move on from Lowry and his expiring contract.

“The Miami Heat gave us one of the coolest playoff stories in recent memory. Despite entering the postseason with the eighth seed and a roster packed with undrafted players, they made it all the way to the Finals,” Bailey wrote. “But if they want to add some talent this offseason, they may have to move Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract. Unless they’re willing to trade Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro, Lowry’s deal is probably the most movable.

“A team hoping to open up cap space in 2024 may be willing to give up real value to acquire a deal that will end that summer.”

Lowry will make $29.7 million next season. That’s far too much money for a bench player. The Heat started Gabe Vincent over Lowry this season, and that move paid major dividends.

A six-time All-Star, Lowry averaged 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 2022-23 while shooting 40.4% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc and 85.9% from the free-throw line. The 37-year-old put up 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in the 2023 playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Nuggets.

Bailey has urged the Heat to re-sign Vincent, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Vincent is better and much younger than Lowry.

“Of course, if Miami does move on from Lowry, it’ll be in need of a point guard, and Gabe Vincent ably filled that role this postseason,” Bailey wrote. “On a team that gets plenty of playmaking from Butler and Adebayo, the most important offensive skill for the 1 is probably shooting, and Vincent hit 40.2 percent of his triples in the playoffs.”