Kyle Lowry returning to 76ers on one-year deal
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 31: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 31, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Kyle Lowry‘s seemingly final ride will be in his hometown.
The 76ers and Lowry have agreed to a one-year deal, returning him to Philadelphia for his 20th season, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The 39-year-old point guard stated in his exit interview that he planned to play one more season and hoped it would be with his hometown Sixers. The North Philly native and Villanova alumnus’ wish has been endowed.
Lowry played just 35 games last season, as he dealt with a right hip injury for much of the year. He averaged 18.8 minutes a game, scoring 3.9 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. He missed most of February and all of March. He ended up returning for two games at the tail end of the season.
Lowry does not provide much on the floor anymore, to put it nicely. He is 39 years old and has been around the game for a long time. His leadership, on the other hand, is undeniable. He is a great leader and mentor for the 76ers locker room, which does not have much of that.
However, the minutes Lowry is going to receive this season are going to be dreadful.
This signing points out a major flaw in how Daryl Morey runs a team. His inability to find young talent in the free agent market, and bring in aging players who will not provide much positively on the floor.
Andre Drummond (31), Eric Gordon (36), and Lowry (39) are taking up $9.6 million of the Sixers’ payroll. They are now $2 million below the luxury tax threshold and $10.1 million under the first tax apron.
Lowry and Gordon are both guards. Thankfully, the others at that position on the active roster are much younger, with Tyrese Maxey (24), V. J. Edgecombe (19), Jared McCain (21), and two-way contract player Hunter Sallis (22).
The Sixers still need power forwards. Currently, all they have is Trendon Watford, Johni Broome, and two-way contract player Alex Reese.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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