NBA trade rumors: Heat, Sixers the leaders to acquire Raptors' Kyle Lowry

The Raptors might end up trading Kyle Lowry before Thursday's deadline and are here a couple of teams who are in the lead for his services.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry continues to receive significant attention leading up to the March 25 trade deadline. A couple of Eastern Conference teams in the Miami Heat and the Philadephia 76ers are expected to make a run for the services of Lowry to bolster their lineup for the remainder of the season.

Via Shams Charania of The Athletic:

“The Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are leaders in pursuit to acquire Lowry, sources told The Athletic, and several rival team executives are monitoring the situation as well as which young player or asset either team could part with.”

Lowry has been linked with his hometown team in the Sixers ever since the beginning of the season. A homecoming would also make sense for the six-time All-Star as the 76ers currently have an MVP candidate in Joel Embiid who is having a monster season.

Per ESPN, they also have several young pieces in Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle who can possibly get traded in exchange for Lowry. The potential arrival of Lowry in Philadelphia would definitely make them a stronger contender for the title as they continue to hold the top seed in the Eastern Conference thus far.

On the other hand, the Heat are in a less favorable situation as compared to the 76ers but they could still make a hail-mary pitch for Lowry. Though the point guard has a strong bond with Heat star Jimmy Butler, Miami wouldn't be the best destination for him if he wants a clear shot at the title this season.

Similarly, the Heat are also limited in terms of the young players that they can ship to the Raptors in exchange for Lowry. A possible talent that is expected to be included in a package would be rookie Precious Achiuwa who is only seeing spot minutes for the Heat this season.

Trade rumors revolving around Kyle Lowry are not expected to die down soon, especially with the trade deadline already looming around the corner. With how things are shaping up, it wouldn't be surprising if both the 76ers and the Heat would make major moves in a bid to add more firepower to their respective rosters for the remainder of the season.