The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to be a lock to make the playoffs next season. After turning in a measly 24-58 win-loss card in the previous campaign, the team is hungry to get back in the thick of things in the postseason. Fortunately for them, the Eastern Conference could not be any more wide-open for taking.
However, there are a few things worth noting about this team. The 76ers are still reliant on two injury-prone stars who may not even be ready for training camp. In addition, there is an argument to be made that the team did not address their gaping holes in free agency, with the front office pulling off some inexcusable moves, such as bringing back Kyle Lowry for another season.
Lowry, who is already 39 years old and is the third-oldest active player in the league, clearly has nothing left in the tank. Last season, he registered what was easily his worst professional year, averaging just 3.9 points and 2.7 assists per outing on a ghastly 35 percent shooting from the field, which includes an equally meager 33 percent conversion rate from rainbow country.
His minimal production is precisely the reason why everyone was perplexed when the front office brought him back. It was a mistake of epic proportions, but the 76ers might just have the perfect justification to dangle him away before the season even begins.
Euroleague club expresses interest in 76ers veteran guard Kyle Lowry
Kendrick Perry (not Perkins) — former Panathinaikos Athens guard and current Unicaja Malaga leader — recently strongly advocated for Lowry to make the jump to Europe to cap off his professional basketball career.
"I think I saw something that said Kyle Lowry was about to retire. He's a good one that can come in, and his game isn't such to where he needs the ball a lot, but he can still affect winning teams, especially the European style of play. I would be interested to see what Kyle Lowry would be like over here.”
While Lowry is on the tailend of his NBA career, he definitely has what it takes to make a grander exit out in Europe. As Perry said, the style of play there is more forgiving for players who can no longer tap into their physical dimensions, amd Lowry has the smarts and the experience to thrive in an environment that is not as demanding physically.
Problem is, the 76ers seem intent to have him as the main voice of reason in the locker room this season. Still, if the opportunity presents for Lowry to make the leap to go to Europe, the front office should convince him to take that offer, as his roster spot in Philly would be much better off being reserved to someone who can still sniff the court and actually produce.
Kyle Lowry is a respected veteran with a remarkable NBA career, but the time for him to hang them up is near. The Philadelphia 76ers made the wrong choice to bring him back, and it is incumbent on them to compel him to take up an opportunity to have a more productive end to his career if it ever comes up — be it in Europe or elsewhere.