NBA Free Agency 2010: Kyle Lowry's Top Destinations

In a slim point guard market led by marquee names like Jordan Farmar and Raymond Felton, teams hoping to fill the position have minimal options.

Just before the deadline for teams to extend qualifying offers to their players, the Houston Rockets did just that for point guard Kyle Lowry.

Lowry opted out of his $2 million contract, but hopes to remain in Houston and win a starting spot as a restricted free agent.

Where will the former Villanova player land? Here are his top destinations.

What Kyle Lowry Offers

Born: 3/25/1986
Age: 24
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 202 lbs.
College: Villanova

Lowry played in 68 games last season for the Houston Rockets and averaged 9.1 points and 4.5 assists.

The Lowry Report:

Lowry is a known winner and up-tempo player, but he lacks size and experience.

No. 1 Houston Rockets

Houston wants Lowry back.

The Rockets took out an ad in The Houston Chronicle declaring Lowry and Luis Scola as "key pieces to a team on the rise." It also asked fans to comment on each player’s Twitter.

Throughout the season, and so far this offseason, Houston has said that its priority is to retain its own players.

When the Rockets initially wanted Lowry in the 2006 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies took him instead. Houston would later acquire Lowry in a trade for their then-starter Rafer Alston.

Lowry hasn't received much interest from other teams in a slim point guard market.

Other free agents he's competing against have far more experience: Derek Fisher, Raymond Felton, Jordan Farmar, and Jason Williams, to name a few.

No. 2 Indiana Pacers

Other than the Houston Rockets, the Indiana Pacers have shown interest in Lowry.

The Pacers are desperate for a point guard and it's down to three players: Farmar, Felton, and Lowry.

Right away, Farmar would probably start over T.J. Ford, and the same could possibly be said about Felton.

Lowry, the youngest of the three, could learn on the bench from the veterans on the team in Ford, Mike Dunleavy, and Danny Granger.

Indiana also has a lot of youth in the guard position with Brandon Rush, A.J. Price, and Lance Stephenson.

It seems like a tryout for many of the young guys on the roster.

No. 3 Orlando Magic

At the moment, the Orlando Magic have shown the most interest in a free agent this offseason with both Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson opting for free agency.

However, all directions point toward the Magic signing Steve Blake.

Blake, a six-year guard out of Maryland, has more experience than 24-year-old Kyle Lowry.

Moreover, Lowry wants a starting position, and Jameer Nelson would be in his way in Orlando.

No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers

With veterans Fisher and Farmar opting for free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers are in need of a point guard.

The two-time defending champions could look for youth in Lowry, but it seems like he's more than happy in Texas.

At the moment, Blake seems to be Los Angeles' primary target because of his salary and experience.

Last season against the Lakers, Blake even had the ultimate audition when he recorded a triple-double in the final regular season game.

No. 5 Charlotte Bobcats

Raymond Felton averaged 12.1 points and 6.1 assists for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Felton is the top point guard in a below-average year for the position, but might be out of the Bobcats' price range.

Although Felton wishes to stay in Charlotte, he's asking for too much money.

Last year he turned down a six-year, $42 million contract offer and wants even more than that after a solid season.

Kyle Lowry could step in as a young guard to split time with D.J. Augustin, who was selected ninth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.