Veteran point guard Kyle Lowry has reportedly agreed to a contract buyout with the Charlotte Hornets. Upon clearing waivers, Lowry intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Lowry landed in Charlotte as part of the trade that sent Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat. The 37-year-old player had $10.6 million left on his contract, which was set to expire after the 2023-24 NBA season.
Lowry, who has six All-Star selections to his name, averaged 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 37 games with the Heat this season. He hasn’t suited up for the Hornets since being traded to the franchise on January 23.
The 76ers get an experienced guard in Lowry who can lead their bench unit and provide them with playmaking behind All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. The move also reunites Lowry with head coach Nick Nurse, with whom he won an NBA title as part of the Toronto Raptors organization.
Lowry is a Philadelphia native who played high school basketball at Cardinal Dougherty and spent his college years with Villanova. He now finally gets an opportunity to play for his hometown team and perhaps help the 76ers make a deep playoff run.
The 76ers have been in free fall of sorts recently, losing eight out of their last 10 games. They will likely have to finish the regular season without star center Joel Embiid, who underwent meniscus surgery last week, but there is a strong possibility that the reigning NBA MVP will return for the playoffs.
