February 11, 2024
After Contract Buyout, NBA Star Kyle Lowry Expected To Sign With Hometown 76ers
Kyle Lowry has agreed to a contract buyout, clearing the way for him to play for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers.
After coming to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the trade that sent Terry Rozier and a first round pick to Miami, NBA star Kyle Lowry has agreed to a contract buyout, clearing the way for him to play for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers.
As CBS Sports reported, since the Hornets are currently rebuilding, so they didn’t see a need to retain Lowry, an 18-year veteran. The 76ers are not. In 2021, the tem pursued him at the trade deadline, but couldn’t secure a deal.
A hype video featuring Lowry, who played his high school ball in Philly before going on to a decorated college basketball career at Villanova has been making the rounds on Twitter/X. Fittingly, the video opens up with Skylar Grey’s version of “I’m Coming Home” while featuring highlights from Lowry’s high school games and a shot of the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers’ home court.
The Sixers, currently without the services of MVP candidate Joel Embiid due to a knee surgery, are hoping the recent acquisitions of Buddy Hield and Lowry can help keep them afloat in the Eastern conference while they wait for their franchise player to return.
Though Lowry, 37, is well past his prime, he should be able to provide defense and leadership to the team’s second unit. Despite only averaging 8.5 points on the season, his lowest total since 2011, he remains an efficient shooter, posting a three-point percentage of 38.5% for the Miami Heat.
The move also reunites Lowry with head coach Nick Nurse, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors. According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, Lowry has great respect for Nurse. “Nick was the (Raptors assistant coach) I shot with, worked out with; he was in the system when I first got here,” he told reporters in 2022.
“So me and him had a great relationship prior to him even being the head coach,” Lowry added. “We always had this same type of mantra about winning…and trying to be innovative. Nick’s a friend of mine, and we got closer and closer. And as the years went on, we trusted each other more and more.”
It remains to be seen exactly how much playing time Lowry will get. The team also has Cameron Payne and Terquavion Smith, who is signed on a two-way deal, which gives the team more flexibility in using Lowry.
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