Toronto Raptors: Knicks Have No Chance With Kyle Lowry

By Paul Taylor | Feb 22, 2017

Jan 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and New York Knicks forward Kyle O'Quinn (9) react differently after a Toronto basket in the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

When it comes to deciding where he’ll play next season, the possibility of Kyle Lowry choosing the New York Knicks over the Toronto Raptors is virtually non-existent.

For reasons I’ll never entirely appreciate, the New York Knicks are considered one of the marquee franchises in the NBA. Regardless, if their fans believe the team has a chance of signing Kyle Lowry when he becomes a free agent in the summer, they can think again. (He has a $12 million player option for next season, which he will more than likely decline.)

The Knicks already had their opportunity to obtain Lowry from the Toronto Raptors, during the 2013-14 season. However, they were unwilling to part with the first round draft pick that would have apparently secured the trade.

Even though the smart money is on the three-time All-Star signing a new deal to remain in Toronto, he will still test the free agent market after this season, to get a sense of his value. After all, his next contract will likely be the last major one of his NBA career.

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In that respect, the Knicks are welcome to make their offer. Some deluded fans of the beleaguered franchise may even believe the fact Lowry is friends with Carmelo Anthony, could prove to be a selling point.

Further, as Newsday‘s Al Iannazzone writes, the Raptors’ point guard shares an agent (Andy Miller) with Kristaps Porzingis. Ironically though, it is these associations which will compromise any designs the Knicks may have on Lowry.

Everyone is aware of the reports alluding to how president Phil Jackson has been treating Anthony this season – why would Miller want another one of his clients to play in New York? Throw in the recent incident involving owner James Dolan and Charles Oakley, and it sure feels like the inmates are running the asylum.

From Lowry’s perspective, while he obviously wouldn’t publicly criticize Jackson and the Knicks organization, he’s well aware of what’s going on. As reported by Iannazzone, he said:

"“I think Melo is handling it tremendously. I think he’s handling it like a professional. He’s handled it fantastically, and he’s playing well. At the end of the day, he’s an All-Star and there’s a reason for everything.”"

One of those reasons likely includes showing Lowry why playing in New York is a bad idea. Along those lines, you imagine a lot of this summer’s batch of free agents will be having similar thoughts, and the Knicks only have themselves to blame.

Next: Raptors' Top 5 Trade Assets

Where do you think Lowry will play next season? Are you reasonably confident he will return to Toronto or can you see him going somewhere else, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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