Uri at this point doesn't need to trade Lowry, however, it is possible that he is also looking to get the MOST possible and is dancing now
He has been known to get max return and always selling HIGH, especially to suckers like the Knick's
Basically a deal that HE CANNOT REFUSE
or
He actually is telling the truth, he is half way in the the season at 52 games out of 82 games, with 30 games left
Why not evaluate his team while he is currently 3rd in the entire East, 4 games ahead of the Nets, 8 games ahead of the Knicks, and would be his first playoff birth for his first tenure
Thinking in Toronto's point of view on building a team for their future, maybe Vasquez could be available, who was nearly averaging triple double numbers for much of the season in NO last year who would be a RFA this summer
I would be interested in buying Greviez Vasquez if the price is right but running him as a SG in a 2 PG system
Toronto has about 42m in guaranteed salaries, with many RFA's, TEAM options, and many expiring contract after next season, just in time for 2015 summer
Currently they have only 13.5m in guaranteed salaries, not including the team options of and Terrence Ross who are still on their rookie deals in 2015
Only players on the books would be
2 players on the books for 2015 season in Toronto
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DeMar DeRozan at 9.5m
Steve Novak at 3.5m
Team options that likely would be picked up or eligible to sign a extension
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Jonas Valanciunas $4,660,482
Terrence Ross $3,553,917
any players that possibly could be kept, including Lowry, Patrick Patterson, Greivis Vasquez, Tyler Hansbrough, the development of Dwight Buycks *think he is a RFA*, any signings/trades of contracts they may make, they have a decent amount of assets in draft picks that could, and with that cap room, they have the ability to sign multiple players with 2015 FA's either with ALL STAR's *not many would probably be interested in signing with Toronto unless they are able to sign a TOP tier STAR to attract other stars to come (maybe DeRozan, Valanciunas, Terrence Ross, and their draft picks could be their core, some of which has the legit potential to be STAR's*
I think Uri will NOT overpay for any talents, including Lowry, while maintaining his cap space for 2015
Lowry could sign a deal anywhere from 7.5m-12m per year (depending on amount of years, Toronto might even give them his best offer with that extra year guaranteed)
He is hitting his 30's in another year or 2-3 more seasons, so this is likely his LAST big contract, and with that extra year it might not be the best starting salary with Toronto but could be the best overall deal
Considering he would be in his early 30's at 32 with a max 5 year deal *or 31 at a 4 year deal* does he and his agent want to take a chance that his value could drop significantly as many players have huge drop offs after the age of 30 as their physical abilities decline
This is something Lowry, his agent, and Toronto would have to decide the risk/rewards off, leverage that Toronto could have over Lowry if he wishes to not take the risk of by signing a 4year deal vs a 5 year deal, maybe even a partial guarantee like 5m for his 5th year at 5m or so would be enough depending on what Toronto may offer between 8-12m
Picks incoming for Toronto include
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Toronto 2014 second round draft pick from Sacramento
Sacramento's 2014 2nd round pick to Toronto protected for selections 56-60 (if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyed, then Sacramento's obligation to Toronto will be extinguished) [Sacramento-Toronto, 7/16/2012]; Toronto may convey this pick to Milwaukee (via Phoenix) (see Toronto Debits)
2014 second round draft pick from Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City's 2014 2nd round pick to Toronto (via New York) [New York-Oklahoma City, 2/21/2013 and then New York-Toronto, 7/10/2013]
2016 first round draft pick from New York
New York will convey the less favorable of its 2016 1st round pick and Denver's 2016 1st round pick to Toronto (via Denver's right to swap for New York) [Denver-Minnesota-New York, 2/22/2011 and then New York-Toronto, 7/10/2013]
2017 second round draft pick from New York
New York's 2017 2nd round pick to Toronto [New York-Toronto, 7/10/2013]
Picks outgoing from Toronto
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2014 second round draft pick to Milwaukee
Toronto will convey the less favorable of its 2014 2nd round pick protected for selections 31-36 and Sacramento's 2014 2nd round pick protected for selections 56-60 to Milwaukee (via Toronto to Phoenix); if only the Sacramento pick falls within its protected range, then Toronto will convey its pick to Milwaukee (via Toronto to Phoenix); if the Toronto pick falls within its protected range, then Milwaukee will instead receive the more favorable of Phoenix's 2015 2nd round pick and Toronto's 2015 2nd round pick and Toronto will receive the less favorable of these two picks (via Milwaukee's right to swap Phoenix for Toronto) [Sacramento-Toronto, 7/16/2012 and then Phoenix-Toronto, 2/21/2013 and then L.A. Clippers-Milwaukee-Phoenix, 7/10/2013]
2016 second round draft pick to Memphis
Toronto's 2016 2nd round
Overall picks NOT MENTIONED, are owned by Toronto, including their own draft picks especially their 1st rounders that could be used as assets in trades or further development