February 11th 2024.
After being traded to the Charlotte Hornets from the Miami Heat, NBA superstar Kyle Lowry has made the decision to buy out his contract, allowing him to join his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. According to CBS Sports, the Hornets, who are currently in a rebuilding phase, did not see a need to keep Lowry on their roster. However, the 76ers had previously pursued Lowry during the 2021 trade deadline, but were unable to reach a deal.
A hype video featuring Lowry has been circulating on Twitter and has been met with much excitement. The video, which showcases Lowry's high school highlights and a shot of the Wells Fargo Center, where the 76ers play, begins with Skylar Grey's rendition of "I'm Coming Home." Lowry, who played high school basketball in Philly before going on to have a successful college career at Villanova, is now returning to his roots to play for his hometown team.
This move comes at a crucial time for the 76ers, who are currently without their star player, Joel Embiid, due to a knee injury. With the recent additions of Buddy Hield and Lowry, the team is hoping to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference until Embiid's return. Despite being 37 years old and past his prime, Lowry is expected to bring valuable defense and leadership to the team's second unit. Although he is averaging his lowest points per game since 2011, Lowry remains an efficient shooter, with a three-point percentage of 38.5% during his time with the Miami Heat.
Not only is Lowry returning to his hometown, but he is also reuniting with head coach Nick Nurse, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2019 as a member of the Toronto Raptors. In an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia, Lowry expressed his admiration for Nurse, stating that they had a great relationship even before Nurse became the head coach. He also mentioned their shared mindset of winning and being innovative, which has only strengthened their bond over the years.
It is yet to be determined how much playing time Lowry will receive, as the team also has other talented players such as Cameron Payne and Terquavion Smith signed on a two-way deal. This allows the team to have flexibility in how they utilize Lowry in their lineups.
In related news, the 76ers recently fired coach Doc Rivers after being eliminated from the playoffs in a Game 7 loss. With Lowry's arrival, the team is hoping to have a fresh start and make a strong comeback in the next season. As reported by Black Enterprise, Lowry is expected to officially sign with the 76ers after his contract buyout is finalized.
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