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Kyle Lowry: 5 potential landing spots in free agency

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Lowry
Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

As Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry prepares for 2017 NBA free agency, which teams would be the best fit? Here’s a look at his top five potential landing spots this summer.

The Toronto Raptors have once again run into the LeBron James buzzsaw, and after a sweep in the 2017 Eastern conference semifinals, the Drakes are on the verge of a roster blow-up.

Despite this being the most successful era in Raptors franchise history, the Dinos have just one conference finals appearance to their name over the last four years, and have lost four of their seven playoff series in that span.

However, it’s also worth noting that before the 2013-14 season, Toronto had lost five of its six playoff series in its 18-year franchise history.

Whether general manager Masai Ujiri decides this core is worth preserving remains to be seen, especially with Serge Ibaka, P.J. Tucker and Patrick Patterson all hitting free agency. Either way though, the Raptors’ summer starts and ends with the unrestricted free agency of Kyle Lowry.

Lowry has already confirmed he will decline his $12 million player option to join free agency, and although he’s 31 years old, his status as an underpaid, top point guard in the league will conjure up plenty of suitors.

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He and the Raptors faltered again in the postseason, but the three-time All-Star had arguably the best season of his career, averaging a career-high 22.4 points, 7.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game on .464/.412/.819 shooting splits.

Teams in need of a franchise point guard like the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks or Dallas Mavericks might be interested in Lowry, but the interest probably isn’t mutual.

The Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans could have vacancies at the 1, but will likely look to re-sign their own free agent point guards this summer. The Los Angeles Lakers are always in these conversations, but for a guy who wants a ring, that’s hardly the winning play.

So where should Lowry go for the last humongous payday of his career? Here’s a look at the five best landing spots for him in free agency this summer.