Apr 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) goes to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Paul Pierce (34) in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Well the NBA rumors are out in full these days aren’t they? With all of the teams working on their rosters next year not named the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, there is going to be a lot of chatter and smokescreens going up in the next few weeks leading up to the draft. A lot of decisions these teams have to make will not be made until free agency begins soon after. One rumor that caught my eye was the rumors that the Bulls were rumored to be looking at Kyle Lowry. Lowry basically resurrected his career last year going from the trading block to the reason the Raptors made the playoffs last year.
Okay Pippen Peoples, this is a very important point to remember, NBA rumors are a part of the business. General managers have to make a living making phone calls trying to find a diamond in the rough deal that will make their teams better. If they don’t, they will be out of a job with the quickness. Check out what is going on in Memphis or Cleveland. Most of these rumors that are reported here at Pippen Ain’t Easy or any other NBA website here at FanSided will be just that…rumors. Some could be legit, but about 85% probably will not. I will say that Pippen Ain’t Easy will do its due diligence to get the inside track and provide analysis on possible moves that will affect the Bulls going forward.
It’s easy to see why the Bulls would want to get Kyle Lowry on the roster. He can shoot, he can defend (Tom Thibodeau will be happy) and he can initiate an offensive set (which will make me happy).
Kyle Lowry basically saved his career last year. He was so close to making the All-Star team and there were plenty of experts that thought he should have. But his talent has never been in question here, it was his attitude.
Here’s where perception becomes reality which sometimes I hate.
Kyle Lowry got the reputation for being difficult in the locker room and lacking leadership skills. When his teammates would make mistakes he would give out looks that would kill. Believe me Pippen Peoples, he was on the trading block and the New York Knicks were after him. They probably would have got him if the Raptors didn’t have to take back Raymond Felton.
But a meeting with his head coach and the front office, he worked on his attitude and took on a bigger role when Rudy Gay was sent to Sacramento.
Now that Kyle Lowry went nuts in a contract year which equates to a child telling his/her parents they love them after they get in trouble. Now the question is how much is Kyle Lowry worth?
The Chicago Bulls would be a great home for Kyle Lowry. Boy the Bulls could use him in so many ways. He can be an interchangeable part in the backcourt with Derrick Rose playing the point and off guard positions. He did very well in Toronto teaming with Greivis Vasquez stabilizing the offense and getting them in their offensive set. That alone trumps any of the guards the Bulls have not named Rose. Plus he would be a great insurance policy if Derrick Rose goes down…again.
Here’s the situation here when it comes to Kyle Lowry and the Bulls. It’s financial. Will the Bulls shell out AT LEAST 10 million dollars a year for a guy who just shed his reputation as a malcontent a couple of months ago? Naturally, the Bulls will never let anyone in completely about what they do until the press conference announcing their plans after the fact.
I like Kyle Lowry and this guy fits the system of the Bulls and he’s definitely an upgrade over Kirk Hinrich. However, if he reverts back to his old self as a locker room cancer after the ink dries on the multi-year contract, everybody will be begging Hinrich back to the team. Trust me.
The Bulls are just not going to put up that kind of money for a player that is not a guaranteed commodity. Guess what? They are right in my opinion. Whoever the Bulls sign to a contract in this position had better be in it for the long haul.
The Toronto Raptors want to sign him but they are not going to give him Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook money. But he does command about Ty Lawson money at about 11 to 12 million dollars. It looks like at this point that it could happen and Lowry will stay in Toronto. Plus, I don’t see this guy taking a backseat to Derrick Rose AND Jimmy Butler.
Kyle Lowry is not coming.