With the Orlando Magic looking into a possible trade with the Charlotte Hornets, the team looks to be buyers at the NBA trade deadline. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the deal would primarily involve Kyle Lowry, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers being the front-runners to acquire the guard. Lowry was recently acquired by the Hornets in a trade with the Miami Heat, and indications suggest that the former All-Star may be traded once more.
Stein wrote in a column titled “The latest from Stein on February 4, 2024,” “Lowry is projected to have considerable interest on the buyout market if no trade materializes and should he decide to seek a settlement of what’s left of his $29.7 million expiring contract from Charlotte to become a free agent.
“If Lowry becomes an unrestricted free agent, the 76ers, Lakers, and Magic are among the teams known to have interest in him—with Orlando also in the mix as a team that has expressed exploratory trade interest in the former NBA championship-winning point guard as well.
In the last season of a three-year, $85 million contract, Lowry is paid $29.6 million. Orlando has not historically been a top candidate for players in the buyout market, which may encourage the Magic to make a trade for Lowry. Considering that the Magic are currently in the playoff hunt, it will be interesting to see if this changes.
Since his trade on January 23, the six-time All-Star has not appeared in a game for Charlotte. Lowry’s pre-trade average of 8.2 points per game was the lowest for the seasoned player since the 2008–09 campaign. In addition, Lowry is averaging 1.1 steals, 3.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 38.5% from long range in 37 games played.
