The Toronto Raptors are still mum on their plans on Kyle Lowry but league executives are convinced that the veteran playmaker will eventually be dealt before the February 20 deadline.
Previous reports suggested that the Golden State Warriors loom as the likely landing spot of Lowry, but Sam Amico of Fox Sports reported that the Indiana Pacers could be on the mix for the 27-year-old point guard.
However, Amico also noted that the Raptors could still hold on to the veteran point guard especially if the Raptors continue to strengthen their playoff chances this season, but it could be a risky move for Toronto.
Lowry, who is averaging 16.4 points to go along with 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game this season, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. And if the Raptors decide to keep him for the remainder of the season, they could lose the eight-year veteran for nothing in the offseason.
"The Pacers may be among the teams who will make a play for Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry at the Feb. 20 trade deadline, according to several reports. But the more the Raptors win, the more it looks as if they will hang on to Lowry. It's an interesting situation, because Lowry is a free agent at season's end," Amico noted.
And should the Pacers engage in a discussion with the Raptors, they are expected to offer former All-Star forward Danny Granger, who is also drawing interests from several teams.
"Pacers forward Danny Granger, another impending free agent, is drawing lots of interest as the trade deadline approaches," Amico revealed.
However, a Lowry-for-Granger deal is not expected to entice the Raptors because Granger is coming off major injures, and Toronto looks set in their guard-forward tandem of DeMar Derozan and Terrence Ross.
Sources said that the Raptors might ask for a point guard in return and the Pacers could package their current starting point guard George Hill along with C.J. Watson if Indiana view Lowry as the point guard that could get them over the hump this season.
The Pacers currently hold the best record in the league, but analysts believe that acquiring Lowry could be the final move that they should make to finally beat defending champions Miami Heat in the playoffs.
