Lowry, the Philadelphia resident Villanova alum returns home.
The Sixers are currently first in the Eastern Conference with a 17-7 record in the Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey era, but so far no NBA team has had a stranglehold on this season’s quirk. Joel Embiid looked like an MVP frontrunner, Tobias Harris should enforce the All-Star consideration to the bare minimum, and Ben Simmons, for better or worse, still looks like the same guy he was as a rookie. While the team’s play could improve, Simmons averages his usual 8.0 assists per game, but as good as Embiid has been, working with Lowry would reduce his offensive workload, giving the Sixers someone who can stand a chance in the last two minutes of the game and give the grid a leader who needs it.
What people forget about the Embiid and Simmons combination is that they were at their best in 2018/19 when Jimmy Butler was there to carry the load. You could use the semi-final stats against the Raptors that season for yourself. Lowry could have a similar impact, and it looks like Embiid might be willing to take the responsibility, but a real point guard (who’s willing to fire from the outside) would help. It will matter when the playoffs come, and Lowry is a proven champion.
As for an actual deal, the Sixers have different expiration dates, most notably Danny Green’s $ 15.4 million. They’ve got several young plays, led by Matisse Thybulle, Tyrese Maxey, and Shake Milton, all of whom are making under $ 3 million each this season, and they have most of their first-round future picks, which were discussed in the Harden deal before going to Brooklyn.
They also have Ben Simmons for nearly $ 30 million, and he’s hit the top until 2025. Again, say.