Just when we thought Pat Riley pulled off what could potentially be the biggest trade of the draft, there seems to be even more good news concerning Miami Heat fans.
According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report:
“An agreement in principle on a deal that would send point guard Kyle Lowry from the Toronto Raptors to the Miami Heat is ‘imminent,’ a league source with direct knowledge of the negotiations said Friday.”
Essentially, the Toronto Raptors would be giving up Kyle Lowry via a sign-and-trade in exchange for Norris Cole, cash, and future draft picks.
The reason this agreement is only in principle right now and not on paper is that the Heat can’t officially sign anymore players until after July 1. The reason being is that Miami is currently over the salary cap and must sort out what they would like to do with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Although Lowry has had a injury-plagued career, he has proven recently, that he is still an all-star level point guard when healthy. Last year with the Toronto Raptors he scored 17.9 points per game, while averaging 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 79 starts. As a gifted playmaker with a pass-first mentality, Lowry would be a huge upgrade over Cole and Mario Chalmers.
Source: Toronto looking to S&T Kyle Lowry to Miami for cash and future picks. Part II: Bosh opts out, returns to Toronto.
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) June 27, 2014
Now hearing that Norris Cole would also be part of the Lowry-to-Miami deal.
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) June 27, 2014
Lowry to Mia makes sense if it opens door to Melo. Big 3 becomes a younger, more athletic Big 4 (Lowry/Wade/LBJ/Melo). Instant EC favorite.
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) June 27, 2014
The source has explicitly stated that, “Lowry will be a member of the Heat” next season and it’s only a matter of getting it down on paper.
Earlier this week, Lowry told Basketball Insiders, “I’m happy with making the playoffs and doing that, but the end game for all players should be a championship and that’s what I want to play for.”
Breaking: Ric Bucher has just admitted that his “sources” about the S&T of Lowry between Raptors and Heat were wrong!
Bucher, “My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should’ve known better. I could not be more embarrassed. I can’t explain why someone would go the lengths ‘my source’ did to set me up, but that’s irrelevant. I allowed my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I’d like to think I’m better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.”
We will never trust Ric Bucher’s “sources” again, sorry for the excitement Heat Nation.
My deepest and sincere apologies. My report on Lowry and a S&T between the Raptors-Heat is wrong. I should’ve known better. I could not…
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) June 27, 2014
…be more embarrassed. I can’t explain why someone would go the lengths “my source” did to set me up, but that’s irrelevant. I allowed…
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) June 28, 2014
my zeal to break a story take too much for granted. I’d like to think I’m better than that. Yesterday and today I was not.
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) June 28, 2014