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Lakers will reportedly be one of ‘top suitors’ for Kyle Lowry in free agency

The Lakers won’t be the only team chasing Kyle Lowry in free agency, however, and getting him won’t be easy.

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Toronto Raptors v Los Angeles Lakers Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images

While the Lakers have been linked to dozens of guards in the build up to free agency, the common theme throughout most of rumors is that the team desires a ballhandler and playmaker. After an underwhelming finish to the season by Dennis Schröder, the team appears to be looking to replace him with a bigger name and more proven player.

Perhaps no name is higher on that list than Kyle Lowry. An unrestricted free agent, Lowry is one of the top available point guards on the market. While the Lakers would have to get creative to acquire Lowry, they still are expected to be frontrunners for him according to the latest reporting from Shams Charania of The Athletic

The Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing a third stellar player who provides playmaking and shot creation around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, sources said.

The Lakers are expected to show interest in several free agents such as Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Spencer Dinwiddie, according to sources, but another scenario has gained some traction.

...

The 76ers, Lakers, Mavericks, Pelicans and Heat are expected to be top suitors for Raptors free agent guard Kyle Lowry, sources said.

This is far from the first report connecting the Lakers to Lowry. The Los Angeles Times reported last week that Lowry had interest in heading to Los Angeles, and the team was heavily involved in discussions for him at the trade deadline before backing out when the Raptors’ asking price got too high for them.

The Lakers will have plenty of competition for Lowry. The New Orleans Pelicans figure to be one of the teams chasing him most aggressively, particularly after dealing away Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams this week to open up cap space.

On top of having competition to sign him, the Lakers will also need to work a complicated sign-and-trade deal to land him as well. With only a similar package to offer as the one the Raptors turned down at the trade deadline, it’ll turn into a matter of whether Toronto is interested in entertaining a sign-and-trade with the Lakers to acquire those same pieces four months later.

It all adds up to many moving parts and an outcome that likely doesn’t involve Lowry wearing purple and gold next season.

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