Heat G Kyle Lowry Could Be the Perfect Veteran Addition for the Jazz

One piece every NBA team needs on their roster is a seasoned veteran to help guide the younger, inexperienced players to success early on in their careers. The Utah Jazz held to this mold last season by having Rudy Gay on the team, but after being the lone player involved in the newest trade to acquire John Collins, there’s now an opening for that one veteran to take Gay’s spot.

On a team with three new rookies and two second-year players looking to have significant parts in the rotation next season, some guidance and direction will only benefit the young players on the roster.

A standout veteran guard on the market this summer is former NBA champion, Kyle Lowry. After being a couple of seasons removed from signing a multi-year contract with the Miami Heat, new reports indicate the guard could be on his way to finding a new home in the coming weeks.

"After considering multiple options with Kyle Lowry, the Heat has decided against one of them: waiving and stretching his contract.The Heat instead is now focused on using his salary in a trade for Damian Lillard or another potential deal, according to a league source."

- Barry Jackson, via

The Miami Herald

Generally, when trade rumors eventually stoop down to potential release/waive-and-stretch rumors, the future of that player with that franchise never ends all that great. Even with the Heat no longer interested in going in that direction, the desire to move Lowry is apparent. All the signs point to this being the end of Kyle Lowry in Miami.

If you’re looking for an experienced vet to surround your young talent with, Kyle Lowry might be one of the best options out. Enter the Utah Jazz, who could use just this.

You’d be adding a former All-NBA, All-Star guard, and champion who’s been a part of four franchises. There’s little Lowry hasn’t seen during his time in the league. He’s been a consistent piece on many winning teams throughout his career, specifically with the Toronto Raptors. Bringing that type of culture to Utah sounds like a significant step in the right direction for this Jazz retool.

While Lowry has seen a decline in his production from his Raptor days, that just means it’ll come at less of a signing cost for Utah. With Lowry previously trending towards a release instead of a trade, it should be a very low-risk move for the Jazz with his value likely low standing.

The only hurdle the Jazz may encounter in a potential pursuit for Lowry is the newly-formed cap implications with re-upping THT, Clarkson, and Olynyk for another season. However, if the recent James Harden news has shown us anything, accepting a player option does not guarantee a roster spot. One of these guys could be a moving piece to add that much-needed, experienced vet to the locker room.

JUST IN: James Harden is opting into his $35.6 million deal for next season – in order for the 10-time All-Star and the 76ers to work together on a trade out of Philadelphia, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2023

The overall direction of the Jazz (as well as this potential trade/signing) is centered around building up and establishing a talented young core to move forward with. He’s not the All-Star guard he was back in 2020, but that’s neither what Utah would be expecting nor looking for.

Lowry can add just the right amount of playmaking this roster needs, whether as a starting or bench piece. He’d be able to facilitate around some killer frontcourt players like Markkanen, Collins, Hendricks, and Kessler without being the focal point of any lineup you put him in.

Lowry brings it on the defensive end too. His lack of size can also be pretty easy to cover up with the amount of versatile bigs Utah can put onto the court at once.

While bringing in Kyle would consequently take away initial minutes for younger players like Keyonte George, Ochai Agbaji, and Brice Sensabaugh, a potential acquisition means anything a long-term commitment. Instead, it gives these younger players a smaller initial responsibility, allowing some wiggle room to grow into their role at their own pace rather than throwing them into the fire on day one.

A trade or release is far from finalized. However, if this situation keeps trending in the direction it’s been, the Jazz should get involved.

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