During the Nets-Raptors first-round playoff series, Toronto coach Dwane Casey was asked about the trade that went nowhere.
“Some of the best trades that happen are the ones that don’t happen,” Casey said about the deadline talks with the Knicks for Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry. “He’s our engine. He’s our spirit. He’s our toughness.”
The Knicks made an offer of Iman Shumpert and Raymond Felton. The Raptors wanted more. Knicks ownership shut down the talks.
Now no one could say what impact being in New York would have had on Lowry’s free-agent status — or that of Carmelo Anthony — but on the first day of the free-agency period Tuesday, Lowry was one of the headline acts being courted, complimented and begged. League sources said Lowry was in his hometown of Philadelphia and met with the Rockets and Raptors.
Houston general manager Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale went first in meetings with Lowry, followed by their Raptors counterparts, Masai Ujiri and Casey. The Rockets traded Lowry to Toronto two years ago.
The Heat, after being stampeded in the Finals by the Spurs, have targeted Tuesday night or Wednesday to make their pitch to Lowry, sources said. The Lakers also want a shot.
Players can formally sign deals after the NBA signing moratorium ends July 10. Deals were allowed to be discussed and agreed upon starting Tuesday.
The Heat began free agency with one player, Norris Cole, under contract. The Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have opted out, supplying the Heat with the potential for impressive roster flexibility if the Big Three agree to sign for less. Should that occur and the Heat use that cap space on Lowry, it would be the second time in free agency Bosh helped break Toronto’s heart. Bosh fled the Raptors in a sign-and-trade in 2010.
But Henry Thomas, the agent for Wade and Bosh, told several outlets on Tuesday his clients would not take deals in the $11 million-$12 million range. In one report, Thomas was quoted calling the figures “B.S.”
A sign-and-trade might be in the Raptors’ future if they feel they can’t entice Lowry back. Sources in Toronto maintained the Raptors originally were hoping to get Lowry on a four-year deal, but as the interest intensified the possibility of a fifth year became more likely. One source theorized the Raptors might offer a deal, starting at around $11 million, for a total in the $60 million neighborhood, with a fifth year being partially guaranteed.
Lowry earned $6.2 million last season but helped direct the young Raptors into a thrilling, but losing, seven-game series against the Nets.
Lowry makes sense for the Heat, who were undressed at point guard against San Antonio. Mario Chalmers, a starter for two Heat title teams, was benched for the fifth and final game.
Some of the intriguing developments from Day 1 centered on numerous reports claiming James wanted a max-money deal from the Heat but was willing to take a shorter-term deal, perhaps two years. The Heat were said to have a “framework” in place for James, Wade and Bosh deals, according to Yahoo! Sports.
One deal agreed upon raised a few eyebrows. Shooting guard Jodie Meeks, who averaged 15.7 points for the Lakers, agreed to a three-year, $19 million pact with the Pistons, who also came to terms with wing Cartier Martin on a one-year deal, sources in Detroit confirmed. One source also said the Pistons intended to be “very aggressive” but “within reason” in retaining restricted free agent Greg Monroe, who has drawn serious interest from the Hawks, Magic and Blazers.
The Heat also reportedly are interested in Cavaliers small forward Luol Deng, who was drawing heavy interest from the Clippers as well.