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Nets: Sixers missing out on Kyle Lowry is music to our ears

By Jerry Trotta

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 24: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Amalie Arena on March 24, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 24: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Amalie Arena on March 24, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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When the Brooklyn Nets signed Blake Griffin after he was bought out by Detroit, many fans assumed that would be the final addition made to the roster.

Though another buyout deal with somebody like Andre Drummond has been reported as a possibility, it would be a major surprise if the Nets, given their limited remaining finances following the James Harden blockbuster, are active on the buyout or trade market.

While there’s still time for Brooklyn to make another move, they largely spent Thursday’s trade deadline spectating and hoping that 3 p.m. ET would come and go without some of the league’s contenders (especially in the East) making a notable addition.

As of this writing, everything has worked out swimmingly for the Nets and no transaction embodied that more than the 76ers’ acquisition of George Hill from the Thunder. On its face, this deal might not seem like much, but it all but confirmed that Philadelphia would end up missing out on in-demand point guard Kyle Lowry (who went…nowhere), and that is absolutely massive news for the Nets.

Nets fans should be celebrating that the 76ers missed out on Kyle Lowry.

The Raptors, who ended a nine-game losing streak on Wednesday night, have engaged in a fire sale over the last several hours, but Lowry stunningly didn’t fall before hitting free agency this offseason.

The fact that the six-time All-Star isn’t going to the 76ers, who (alongside the Bucks) have established themselves as the biggest threats to Brooklyn in the East, will end up playing a huge factor down the road in the playoffs.

For context, Lowry is a proven winner and has a championship on his resume. Despite being on the proverbial back nine of his career, he’s as durable as any point guard in the league and amazingly hasn’t missed a game yet this season. Through 37 games, Lowry is averaging 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists, while shooting 43.9% from the floor and an elite 39.5% on threes.

As far as trade deadline acquisitions go, the former first-round pick was easily the cream of this year’s theoretical crop and would’ve provided a significant boost to any team he lands on.

Instead, he went nowhere, with the Sixers pulling out first and opting for the far more generic George Hill instead.

It was admittedly daunting to think about a 76ers team with a trio of Lowry, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, who was arguably leading the MVP race before his knee injury. The longtime Raptor is clearly the one piece Philly is missing and Hill (with all due respect) won’t do much of anything to elevate their championship odds.

The 76ers somehow acquiring Lowry was the real concern on Thursday, and their acquisition of Hill proves that the Nets dodged a massive bullet.