Deadline passes, Lowry stays in Toronto
essary because anyone who obtained Lowry would have had to send multiple players to Toronto in order to make the salary ramifications work.
So, on his 35th birthday, Lowry woke up as a Raptor — and remained one.
“Everything will be fine,” Lowry said on Wednesday, when asked about the looming deadline and incessant reports about his trade prospects. “Everything will be fine, no matter what happens.”
Toronto entered the day expected to move either Lowry, Norman Powell or both; in the end, it was just Powell, who went to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood. Those teams meet Sunday in Tampa, Florida, the Raptors’ home this season because the U.s.-canadian border is closed because of the pandemic.
The Los Angeles Clippers — who had been seeking point guard help for weeks — got it in the form of Rajon Rondo, who was part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ run to the title last season and now returns to L.A, according to a person with knowledge of that trade. The Clippers gave up Lou Williams in that deal with Atlanta, sending him back to his home state and the team with whom he spent two seasons from 2012 through 2014.
Another veteran went to a Western Conference contender when New Orleans sent JJ Redick to the Dallas Mavericks, along with Nicolo Melli for Wes Iwundu, James Johnson and a secondround pick in this summer’s draft, a person with knowledge told AP. The Mavericks wanted another shooter, as most teams do, and Redick not only fills that role but also provides a veteran voice to help younger players — just as JJ Barea did for Dallas in past seasons.
The Heat made another deal prior to the Oladipo one being struck, landing Nemanja Bjelica from Sacramento for little-used forwards Maurice Harkless and
Chris Silva.
The deadline passed without moves getting made for San Antonio’s Lamarcus Aldridge and Cleveland’s Andre Drummond, a pair of veteran post players who have not been on the court for their current — and soon to be former — clubs in several weeks, after decisions were made in both cases for the sides to simply move on amicably. Aldridge’s buyout was finalized Thursday afternoon and the Cavaliers were working toward one with Drummond; those moves will make them free to sign with the club of their choosing.