Heat officially acquire Kyle Lowry from Raptors

The Miami Heat have the biggest piece in their title-chase puzzle in place.

The Heat and the Toronto Raptors completed a sign-and-trade deal on Friday, August 6, that brings Kyle Lowry to Miami in exchange for forward Precious Achiuwa and guard Goran Dragic.

Lowry has a new, three-year, $85 million contract.

“Kyle Lowry is a great leader and an exceptional defender,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a team-issued statement. “As a point guard, he will bring important skills to run the offense, score the ball and defend with the very best.”

Lowry put up averages last season of 17.2 points, 7.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 34.8 minutes. He shot 43.6% from the field (39.6% from three-point range) and 87.5% at the free-throw line.

Lowry has played 15 NBA seasons – with Memphis, Houston, and Toronto – and has averaged 14.9 points, 6.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.34 steals, and 31.8 minutes over 960 career games (724 starts).

Miami is eager to play the postseason with Lowry, who has extensive experience. He has appeared in 97 playoff games, averaging 15.5 points, 5.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.36 steals in 35 minutes per game.

Achiuwa, 21, was the No. 20 overall selection in the 2020 draft out of Memphis. He averaged 5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 61 games (four starts) for Miami as a rookie.

Dragic, 35, averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds for the Heat last season, similar to his career norms of 13.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 13 NBA seasons. – Rappler.com