Report: Raptors working on Lowry-to-Knicks deal
According to a report from ESPN's Marc Stein, the Toronto Raptors are working on a deal that would send point guard Kyle Lowry to the New York Knicks.
No return was indicated in the report, but the Knicks have few assets the Raptors may desire; Iman Shumpert may be one but the Raptors are reportedly not high on him. The Raptors don't seem like they'd take back much future salary, but they may have to for a deal to work:
If talks progress and no other teams jump in, trade would likely have to feature Ray Felton going to Toronto with at least one more player
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 12, 2013
Felton still has another year left on his deal at $3.8 million and then a $4 million player option for 2015-16. The Knicks, then, would need to sweeten the deal with a pick - which the Raptors are clearly gunning for - or a young asset.
A deal for Kyle Lowry would likely include Raymond Felton and Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) December 12, 2013
The Knicks can't offer a first until 2018. While far in the future, that's still a form of trade currency the Raptors may value.
In any case, there's a lot up in the air still, and the Golden State Warriors are reportedly also interested. The trade fit there is curious with them, too, unless the Warriors use their trade exception to take Lowry back without sending out salary.
It's also possible a third team may need to get involved to get Lowry to New York while giving the Raptors the assets they're after.