Kyle Lowry’s days with the Miami Heat might be numbered

In advance of the start of training camp on Oct. 3, AllUCanHeat is analyzing the Miami Heat player-by-player. This installment focuses on Kyle Lowry, who might start a season coming off the bench for the first time since 2009.

When great players lose it, sometimes it happens in a hurry. Kyle Lowry made his sixth consecutive All-Star game in 2020, averaged comparable numbers in 2021, then started 63 games for the No. 1 seed Miami Heat in 2022.

But right around the time of his 37th birthday, Lowry’s powers left him. Last regular season, Lowry averaged 11.2 points, 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds — all low marks since becoming a full-time starter in 2010. He was hesitant to shoot, attempting just 8.8 shots per game. Of the shots he did take, he only made at a 40.4% clip. He missed 27 games with a bum knee. By the time he returned, the Heat had given Gabe Vincent the starting job and relegated Lowry to a minutes restriction off the bench.

There were rumors the Heat would waive-and-stretch the final year of his contract this season. The deadline to do so has passed, but the fact that the Heat even thought about paying Lowry $9 million-plus for each of the next three years to not play for them is telling.

Even now, with Lowry as the only traditional point guard on the roster, it’s hard to imagine him getting his starting job back. He’s 37, and small point guards historically do not age well in the NBA. That’s not to say there aren’t moments or he can’t be helpful. Lowry can still push the pace with hit-ahead passes, set the table on offense and draw the occasional charge, but they are fewer and further between. As a backup point guard, Lowry is probably overqualified and overpaid.

That said, Lowry’s contract could be useful in a potential trade for Damian Lillard. Lillard’s $45.6 million deal demands a lot of money be sent back to Portland, and Lowry’s $29.7 million expiring contract makes up for a lot of it. A potential package could be built around Lowry, Tyler Herro and other assets. Talks between the organizations have reportedly stalled.

If Lowry is on the Heat’s roster come opening night, don’t expect him to be part of the starting lineup. Erik Spoelstra last season signaled that he’s more comfortable bringing Lowry off the bench and running the first-unit offense through Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. Lowry is still a useful and widely-respected player, but his days with the Heat — and in his career — are numbered.

Kyle Lowry

Position: Point guard
Ht./Wt.: 6-0/196
College: Villanova
Years pro: 17
2022-23: 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 31.2 minutes per game
Contract status: Final year of three-year, $85 million deal ($29.7 million this season)

• Published on 09/14/2023 at 5:00 PM EDT
• Last updated on 09/14/2023 at 5:00 PM EDT