Lowry in high demand in the free agency market with Heat interested.
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly serious about re-signing point guard Kyle Lowry and they are offering a contract starting at $12m annually.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Raptors are prepared to make that level of offer to their star point guard who undoubtedly developed last season to help guide them to the first round of the playoffs.
While the season ultimately ended in disappointment after defeat to the Brooklyn Nets, the Raptors believe that they have begun the process of building something special in Toronto, and they are now eyeing a regular spot in the Eastern Conference post-season.
Lowry played a significant part in their success last year, and for a birds-right player like himself, his salary can increase or decrease annually by up to 7.5 percent of his first-year salary.
As a result, that means a deal that starts at $12m could be worth anywhere between $51m and $69m over five years, and any portion of that could be un-guaranteed.
Although the numbers have yet to be confirmed by an official source close to the situation, it gives foundations to a potentially difficult decision which the talented point guard will have to eventually make.
With the Miami Heat said to be interested in signing him this summer, Lowry will have to consider his options in terms of whether or not he stays in Toronto and continues to be a focal point of their long-term plan, or switch to Miami where he will have a much more realistic opportunity to win a championship, provided the Big Three stay, but will have less responsibility.
Much will depend on what LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decide to do, but Lowry could well emerge as a priority for the Heat in the coming weeks.
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