Kyle Lowry returns to Philadelphia 76ers on a team friendly one-year deal

Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry is staying in Philadelphia for at least one more NBA season.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Thursday that the six-time All-Star point guard has agreed on a deal to return to the 76ers on a team friendly, one-year contract.

After signing Caleb Martin, the 76ers shifted focus to filling out the roster with minimum contracts in effort to avoid the first tax apron. The team announced today that they are bringing back Lowry on a one-year deal, despite interest from the Phoenix Suns.

Kyle Lowry and his team are back with another Sixers edit to announce his return to Philadelphia🔥

(via @AidanDoc__)pic.twitter.com/UXKYHEs7lj

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) July 11, 2024

76ers salary cap implications from Kyle Lowry signing

While the details of Lowry’s new contract have not been revealed, it’s likely a veteran minimum deal, estimated to be around $3.3 million annually for players with 10+ seasons of experience according to Spotrac. The 76ers’ total salary is hovering around $170.2 million with the first tax apron being set at $178.1 million.

In order to not get “hard-capped”, Philadelphia would be wise to fill out their last four roster spots with more players on veteran minimums, which is the likely scenario barring any KJ Martin balloon contract.

Why the 76ers made the right choice with Kyle Lowry

Sixers depth-chart as it stands 6.0:

PG: Maxey / Lowry
SG: Oubre / Gordon / McCain
SF: George / Council
PF: Martin
C: Embiid / Drummond / Bona

*Not including two-way guys

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) July 11, 2024

Kyle Lowry was a midseason acquisition by the 76ers via the buy-out market after he was bought out by the Charlotte Hornets following their trade with the Miami Heat. Lowry served as Philadelphia’s starting point guard and was successful in taking ball-handling pressure off Tyrese Maxey for the second half of the season and into the playoffs.

Lowry boasted per-game averages of 8.0 points and 4.6 assists on 40.4% perimeter shooting (3.9 attempts) in 23 games with the 76ers.

Bringing Lowry back was a smart decision both financially and strategically by the 76ers front office. This team was lacking a reserve point-guard and Lowry’s ability to run the offense, make plays, and knock down catch-and-shoot threes will serve the 76ers well off the bench.

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