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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) reacts to referee Justin Van Duyne (64) as he’s called for a technical foul as Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) gestures behind during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Don’t laugh. While joining the Philadelphia 76ers would hardly help Lowry conquer the LeBron-sized hurdle in the East — in fact, a Sixers team with Lowry might not even be a lock to make the playoffs in 2018 — there are some legitimate reasons he might consider this option.

For starters, Lowry is from Philly. Not all homecomings make sense, but if Lowry has already accepted he’s not getting past the Cavs in the East, another alternative — since he can’t just join Washington or Boston — would be returning to the City of Brotherly Love to revitalize his hometown franchise.

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    • After all, the Sixers were one of the most exciting teams in the league in January, when a healthy Joel Embiid was having quite possibly the greatest rookie season in NBA history. With him, Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric, the 76ers would be a young team on the rise, anchored by Lowry’s star power and experience.

    Philadelphia can — and reportedly will — offer Lowry a max deal this summer, and there’s interest on both sides. The Sixers’ current president of basketball operations, Bryan Colangelo, was the same Raptors general manager who originally traded for Lowry with Houston, further paving the way for a Philly reunion.

    The best path to the Finals is still in the East, but it may require a little bit of patience. Betting on the long-term health of Embiid and Simmons is a risky proposition given their injury histories, but soaking up the experience of playing for his hometown team might be a nice way to pass the time until LeBron’s prime is finally on the downturn.

    However, there are some obvious negatives. Lowry would be turning down the opportunity to contend during what’s left of his prime. Simmons, a point forward, might not thrive if a facilitator like Lowry is brought in. And for the Sixers, dishing out a max deal to a player whose game will be fading by the time this young core is ready to compete might not be the best idea.

    Does a 31-year-old Lowry — who’s only one year younger than LeBron — really want to bide his time with a fringe playoff team for the next few years rather than contend now? And will that promising young Sixers core actually stay healthy enough to make good on its potential?