Surprise, surprise, the New York Knicks are rumored once again around an upcoming free agent this summer. Now usually I just roll my eyes, entertain it for a bit, then laugh it off.
But this rumor is one that actually makes a ton of sense. If you haven’t seen it by now, it’s Toronto Raptors legend, Kyle Lowry. The 35-year-old is expected to hit free agency to join a new team as his NBA career deserves to live on, and SNY has reported that Kyle Lowry is on the Knicks’ radar.
Kyle Lowry to the Knicks has the potential to be a great signing in terms of where the Knicks want to go.
No question this has been a dream season for New York, no matter the way it ends. We finally got back in the playoffs, now moving forward, it’s go-time. Surround Julius Randle and RJ Barrett with some more talent and heck, the possibilities for this team are endless.
Kyle Lowry could be that playmaker to help lift the Knicks into the next tier of elite teams in the NBA.
Now I know I am not the only one who is getting tired of the Knicks posting their starting five to Twitter and seeing Elfrid Payton be the point guard night after night.
If Kyle Lowry decides to join the fun in New York City he would undoubtedly be the starting point guard while allowing Derrick Rose to continue to be that spark off the bench.
It’s no secret Lowry will be playing in a new uniform next season, but the question is how much money does he want and who is willing to pay him?
The New York Knicks certainly can offer Lowry a deal that could be a one-year trial or multi-year contract.
I can confidently say I trust the Knicks front office to offer him whatever they think will make sense, which in years prior has not been the case.
New York Knicks: Kyle Lowry could provide more playmaking
Kyle Lowry is currently averaging 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game, which just screams playmaker. You need someone to get a clutch bucket, Lowry can do it. You need someone to find the right man open, Lowry can do it.
If you take this current Knicks squad and simply swap out Elfrid Payton with Kyle Lowry, we are looking at legit contenders for the Eastern Conference.
Bias conclusion? Possibly but come on! We are sitting in the fourth seed without him. Kyle Lowry, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle all being on the court at the same time is an offense that could be scary. A solid trio for sure.
Lowry has shown he can play with anyone and make everyone around him better. DeMar Derozan, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, it doesn’t matter, Lowry’s game never changes. You always know what you will get out of him, a real facilitator.
This could provide huge benefits to both Julius Randle and especially RJ Barrett. Barrett has had a great leap in year 2 but needs to continue his development. I think Lowry can fast-track that greatly.
Will Kyle Lowry fit in the Knicks starting five?
Julius Randle has shown us he enjoys dominating the ball and running the offense through him, almost like a point forward. This works great with Barrett now that he is a certified sharpshooter from three. Randle attracts double teams which leaves Barrett open more times than not.
Kyle Lowry, although a great point guard who can set his teammates up for success, can also play off the ball spotting up for threes. I honestly can’t think of many players who would fit this Knicks team better than Kyle Lowry.
Lowry can attract even more players to the New York Knicks
The Knicks are set up to have the most cap space in the league this upcoming off-season which could end up attracting multiple free agents.
While this free-agent class isn’t too packed with All-Stars, it does have some notable names besides Kyle Lowry. Kawhi Leonard, DeMar Derozan, Chris Paul, John Collins are just a few to keep an eye on.
Out of those names, Kawhi Leonard obviously sticks out, but so does DeMar DeRozan. If the Knicks go all-in on a deal for Lowry, it also has the potential to entice a Leonard or DeRozan.
A dream scenario.
Is Kawhi Leonard a long shot, 100%, nevermind more like 1000000%. If the Clippers have another disappointing postseason, who knows what the unreadable Kawhi Leonard will be thinking.
Let’s not forget Lowry and Leonard won an NBA championship with Toronto just two seasons ago. The two of them reunite on the Knicks? We can definitely dream Knicks fans. Before anyone roasts me, I am NOT saying this is likely.
A more realistic option.
DeMar DeRozan, also known as one of Kyle Lowry’s best friends from their days with the Raptors is also set to be a free agent.
Now if we are being realistic, I can see the Knicks bringing in both Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan to help boost the Knicks into title contention.
Demar Derozan is no Kawhi Leonard but he is still a very strong player who the Knicks could really use. He is averaging 21.4 points and 7.1 assists per game with the San Antonio Spurs.
Imagine a starting five consisting of Kyle Lowry, RJ Barrett, Demar Derozan, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson. Tell me that lineup isn’t contending for the Eastern Conference, I will argue that every day of the week.
New York Knicks: Kyle Lowry plays terrific defense
Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks love defense, we all know this by now. It has become “our brand” and has resulted in many wins this season.
Do you know who else loves defense? Kyle Lowry.
While scrolling through some Kyle Lowry stats, I came across an article from December of 2020 titled, “Kyle Lowry wants Toronto Raptors to become ‘real-life defensive monster’ this season.”
If Tom Thibodeau saw this article he might fall in love with Kyle Lowry. Just look at one of Lowry’s quotes, “I want us to be a defensive team, where every single possession, every single night, the team who’s coming in knows that it’s going to be a slug-it-out game and they’re going to get hit, they’re going to get beat up and they’re not going to be roaming free.”
These two sound like they are the same person, it’s almost creepy!
If Kyle Lowry is still this serious about defense, the Knicks seem like a match made in heaven and just reiterates my point of him coming to NYC being that much more realistic.
What kind of contract will Kyle Lowry want?
If it was up to me, I would MUCH rather give Lowry a one-year deal with more money value than a multi-year contract and not as much annual money. And this is where I think the New York Knicks can secure Kyle Lowry and hold an advantage over other teams who are in pursuit of the point guard.