The Toronto Raptors seem like they'd have to collapse in a major way to miss out on the playoffs in the Eastern Conference this year. The Raps are 1.5 games in front of the injury-racked Chicago Bulls for the third seed in the East, despite being just four games over .500.
They might not be a great club, but the situation dictates they're among the best in the East. Because of that, the trade rumors involving point guard Kyle Lowry, an arguable snub from the East All-Star team, have ground to a halt.
We've heard it from [Toronto] that he won't be moved," a front office executive told Yahoo! Sports. As a third seed Toronto is probably smart to hang on to Lowry, who is averaging career-highs in points (16.7) and assists (7.6) despite dealing with persistent trade whispers.
Earlier in the year he was rumored to be a target of the New York Knicks, who currently have a glut of underwhelming point guards on the roster led by Raymond Felton. Frank Isola of The Daily News tweeted on Tuesday that the Knicks could have acquired him earlier this season but are paying for their hesitation.
"The Knicks are in fact interested in Toronto's Kyle Lowry. Classic Knicks. Could have had him two months ago, backed out now want him again," Isola wrote.
The Knicks are in fact interested in Toronto's Kyle Lowry. Classic Knicks. Could have had him two months ago, backed out now want him again.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) February 11, 2014
According to reports the Boston Celtics had "inquired" about Lowry's availability in January while franchise point Rajon Rondo was healing from ACL surgery. They had been among six interested clubs.
In a NESN.com article the asking price back was described as rather high for Lowry though. "With the deadline less than seven weeks away, [Raptors general manager Masai] Ujiri is said to have multiple deals he could do for Lowry that would involve receiving an expiring contract in return or slotting him into another team's trade exception," Ken Berger writes. "Taking back future salary would come at a high price, i.e. a first-round pick."
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