Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
As Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry prepares for 2017 NBA free agency, which teams would be the best fit? Here's a look at his top five potential landing spots this summer.
The Toronto Raptors have once again run into the LeBron James buzzsaw, and after a sweep in the 2017 Eastern conference semifinals, the Drakes are on the verge of a roster blow-up.
Despite this being the most successful era in Raptors franchise history, the Dinos have just one conference finals appearance to their name over the last four years, and have lost four of their seven playoff series in that span.
However, it's also worth noting that before the 2013-14 season, Toronto had lost five of its six playoff series in its 18-year franchise history.
Whether general manager Masai Ujiri decides this core is worth preserving remains to be seen, especially with Serge Ibaka, P.J. Tucker and Patrick Patterson all hitting free agency. Either way though, the Raptors' summer starts and ends with the unrestricted free agency of Kyle Lowry.
Lowry has already confirmed he will decline his $12 million player option to join free agency, and although he's 31 years old, his status as an underpaid, top point guard in the league will conjure up plenty of suitors.
He and the Raptors faltered again in the postseason, but the three-time All-Star had arguably the best season of his career, averaging a career-high 22.4 points, 7.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game on .464/.412/.819 shooting splits.
Teams in need of a franchise point guard like the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks or Dallas Mavericks might be interested in Lowry, but the interest probably isn't mutual.
The Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans could have vacancies at the 1, but will likely look to re-sign their own free agent point guards this summer. The Los Angeles Lakers are always in these conversations, but for a guy who wants a ring, that's hardly the winning play.
So where should Lowry go for the last humongous payday of his career? Here's a look at the five best landing spots for him in free agency this summer.
Nov 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) defends in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Raptors won 113-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
5. Denver Nuggets
It feels silly to suggest the path to a ring lies to the West, where the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets lie in wait, but Lowry's mental block when it comes to LeBron James is a real thing. One dark horse in this free agency sweepstakes might be the Denver Nuggets, who have need for a veteran star point guard.
With Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray forming an enticing young nucleus, a little experience and established star power would go a long way. The Nuggets are armed with assets to pull off a trade for a superstar, but they also have the requisite cap space to offer Lowry a max deal right off the bat (as long as Danilo Gallinari opts out of the final year of his contract as expected).
There are better options out West than these Nuggets, but their need for a point guard could make them a bigger contender for Lowry's services than most expect.
It's time for the Mile High City to establish itself as a free agency destination, and with big names like Lowry, Blake Griffin and Gordon Hayward already floating around, don't be surprised if the Nuggets front office is aggressive in its pursuit of a legitimate star player this summer.
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) congratulates Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) after the Raptors won game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs 89-84 at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
4. Indiana Pacers
This could very easily be replaced by the Los Angeles Lakers if the Indiana Pacers deal Paul George to L.A. on draft day, and the Pacers could fall completely out of the running with a draft-day trade to the Boston Celtics.
However, if the Lakers bide their time until his 2018 free agency and the Pacers look to give PG-13 reason to stick with them for the long haul, landing Kyle Lowry to replace unrestricted free agent Jeff Teague this summer would be one hell of a way to start.
Teague is what he is: A good, but flawed point guard who will never be great. Even at age 31, Lowry will still be a top-five point guard in the East — at worst — through his next contract. Adding him would finally give George some much-needed help on the offensive end.
However, if the whole point of Lowry leaving Toronto is to get past/avoid the LeBron hurdle of the East, signing with Indiana hardly seems like the best solution. In fact, that starting five Indiana would trot out would be considerably worse than the Raptors bringing the gang back for another go.
It's a nice thought, but Lowry also wouldn't guarantee PG-13's long-term future with the Pacers either, since it doesn't make them contenders by any stretch.
Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts to referee Justin Van Duyne (64) as he's called for a technical foul as Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) gestures behind during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Don't laugh. While joining the Philadelphia 76ers would hardly help Lowry conquer the LeBron-sized hurdle in the East — in fact, a Sixers team with Lowry might not even be a lock to make the playoffs in 2018 — there are some legitimate reasons he might consider this option.
For starters, Lowry is from Philly. Not all homecomings make sense, but if Lowry has already accepted he's not getting past the Cavs in the East, another alternative — since he can't just join Washington of Boston — would be returning to the City of Brotherly Love to revitalize his hometown franchise.
After all, the Sixers were one of the most exciting teams in the league in January, when a healthy Joel Embiid was having quite possibly the greatest rookie season in NBA history. With him, Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric, the 76ers would be a young team on the rise, anchored by Lowry's star power and experience.
Philadelphia can — and reportedly will — offer Lowry a max deal this summer, and there's interest on both sides. The Sixers' current president of basketball operations, Bryan Colangelo, was the same Raptors general manager who originally traded for Lowry with Houston, further paving the way for a Philly reunion.
The best path to the Finals is still in the East, but it may require a little bit of patience. Betting on the long-term health of Embiid and Simmons is a risky proposition given their injury histories, but soaking up the experience of playing for his hometown team might be a nice way to pass the time until LeBron's prime is finally on the downturn.
However, there are some obvious negatives. Lowry would be turning down the opportunity to contend during what's left of his prime. Simmons, a point forward, might not thrive if a facilitator like Lowry is brought in. And for the Sixers, dishing out a max deal to a player whose game will be fading by the time this young core is ready to compete might not be the best idea.
Does a 31-year-old Lowry — who's only one year younger than LeBron — really want to bide his time with a fringe playoff team for the next few years rather than contend now? And will that promising young Sixers core actually stay healthy enough to make good on its potential?
Dec 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is congratulated by teammate guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Utah Jazz 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
2. Toronto Raptors
Say what you want about the Toronto Raptors' playoff futility, but as The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks points out, there has to be something in between the Warriors/Cavaliers behemoths and the bottom-feeders that are just biding their time until the reign of terror is over. There's still value in being a perennial 50-win team, even if it doesn't result in a ring.
For starters, Toronto has been good to Kyle Lowry, and vice-versa. He's formed a legitimate brotherhood with his backcourt mate DeMar DeRozan, and though their annual playoff struggles tend to overshadow their regular season success, those fans up North would be devastated to see him leave this summer.
This has been the best period in franchise history for the Raptors, bar none. Bringing back Lowry, Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker/Patrick Patterson wouldn't guarantee this group anything. In fact, as we saw this year, the Raptors may not even be the second-best team in the East anymore.
But there's value in being a pseudo-contender that's one piece (or a few) away. Toronto can also offer Lowry a five-year deal worth more than $200 million, which clearly trumps the four-year, $153 million max deal anyone else can put on the table.
That may not be in their best interest based on GM Masai Ujiri's end-of-season comments, but the team also remains committed to bringing him back. Maybe the Raptors never find a way to get past LeBron, but there are worse fates than being the face of a franchise and a regular threat to make the conference finals while being paid $200 million.
Jan 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts on the court against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Air Canada Centre. The Spurs won 108-106. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
1. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs need a franchise point guard to serve as Tony Parker's successor until Dejounte Murray is NBA-ready. Kyle Lowry needs to get away from LeBron and join a team that's ready to contend during what's left of his prime.
This isn't rocket science.
While Lowry taking a well-deserved pay raise by re-signing in Toronto would be perfectly understandable, in San Antonio he would provide Kawhi Leonard with another two-way threat, and one that could take the pressure off the Claw to do everything on the offensive end.
Gregg Popovich has always worked wonders with D-League prospects and unknown names from overseas, so the idea of him having another All-Star point guard under his tutelage would be a frightening one for the rest of the league…and possibly even the Warriors.
Patty Mills may have played himself out of the Spurs' price range, especially with more talented point guards like Lowry and Chris Paul set to hit the open market. Murray isn't ready yet, and at age 34 and coming off a season-ending injury that could require eight months of recovery time, Tony Parker may never be the same as his steady decline continues.
Having Lowry at the 1 with TP and Murray backing him up off the bench adds even more depth to this Spurs team. San Antonio would have to really work to clear out enough cap space to sign him to a fair deal, meaning they'd have to let Mills walk and hope Pau Gasol declines his $16.2 million player option for 2017-18.
But the Spurs deftly maneuvered to clear out room for LaMarcus Aldridge in 2015, and though they sacrificed plenty of bench depth to make that happen, they bounced back once again with one of the league's best second units over the last two seasons. Never doubt Pop and R.C. Buford's ability to make it happen again.
Though Lowry would then get to experience the bandsaw that is the Golden State Warriors out West, it'd get him away from LeBron, allow him to play on a championship-caliber team and still earn him a decent enough contract. If he places winning a ring above a max pay day and everything else, this is the winning move.
More from Hoops Habit
This article originally appeared on 
