Heat Rumors: Miami Open to Kyle Lowry Trade as PG Draws Interest Ahead of Deadline

If the Miami Heat make some changes before Thursday's trade deadline, don't be surprised if veteran point guard Kyle Lowry is on the move.

According to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the Heat have "been receiving inquiries" regarding Lowry and he's "now among several Heat players in play" on the trade market.

Per that report, the team initially wasn't interested in dealing the veteran point guard but that "position has softened recently, and Miami is now open to trades involving Lowry if the team is offered a deal it views as advantageous."

Additionally, Jackson and Niang noted that the Los Angeles Clippers have generally been the only team publicly reported to have interest in Lowry, though "others have inquired."

The 36-year-old has had a tough season, averaging 12.0 points, 5.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting just 39.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three. His points and assists output are his lowest averages since the 2009-10 season, while his shooting percentage is his worst mark since his rookie campaign in 2006-07.

Add in the lingering knee issues that have hampered Lowry throughout the season, and his trade value can't be high at the moment.

Still, at his best, the 2019 NBA champion offers the experience, playmaking and scrappy defense that can still make him a valuable player for contenders, especially ones in need of an upgrade at point guard.

One such team might be the Los Angeles Lakers, but they are an unlikely pairing for the Heat in trade talks unless a third team gets involved. As Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Saturday, "it's been repeated by league personnel that Miami has little regard for swapping Lowry for Russell Westbrook."

Westbrook's $47 million contract—alongside his likely poor fit next to Jimmy Butler, given that both players like to facilitate the offense and Westbrook offers little to no floor spacing off the ball as a poor shooter—makes him a tough sell in general. The Heat, who are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 29-25 record, would almost assuredly seek to move him to a third team and receive win-now pieces in return.

Regardless, don't be shocked if Lowry is one of the veteran point guards who is dealt this week.