Heat open to trading veteran guard Kyle Lowry

While it was previously reported that the Heat weren’t actively shopping Kyle Lowry and a deal was considered unlikely, evidently the team is now open to moving him if it receives an “advantageous” offer, according to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.

As Jackson and Chiang point out, his list of suitors might be small. In addition to being 36 years old, Lowry is making $28.33M this season and $29.68M in 2023-24.

The other issue is Lowry has been battling left knee soreness off and on since December. He had a “minor medical procedure” on the knee in mid-January, which caused him to miss four games, Jackson and Chiang report. He missed Saturday’s game with the issue and plans to meet with a doctor soon.

Lowry, a six-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion with the Raptors, has seen his production drop off in ’22-23. He’s averaging 12.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.0 SPG on .396/.333/.855 shooting through 44 games (33.3 MPG).

The Clippers are one team that has expressed interest in the veteran point guard, but others have inquired as well, per Jackson and Chiang.

In addition to Lowry, Miami is “willing to listen to offers on most players” on its roster. One player rival teams have been calling about is Max Strus, who is an impending free agent in the summer, a source tells Jackson and Chiang. 

The Heat would like to re-sign him, but it might be costly due to luxury tax concerns.

The Herald’s duo suggests the Heat is unlikely to trade away a first-round pick unless it can acquire a “quality starter.” The primary reason for that is the team is always on the lookout for star talent and would prefer to save its draft capital.

The Heat continues to look for frontcourt help and will attempt to unload Dewayne Dedmon‘s $4.7M contract (his deal is non-guaranteed for ’23-24), Jackson and Chiang add.