Kyle Lowry does so many little things well that are going to continue helping the Sixers at both ends of the floor, and with plenty of different lineups.
Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry always seemed like a good hypothetical Sixer. During Joel Embiid’s tenure, the team has often needed more of the kind of point guard play that Lowry can offer. And last season, the idea finally came to fruition and went just as you’d expect.
In 28.4 minutes per game and 20 starts last regular season with the Sixers, Lowry averaged eight points (shooting 40.4 percent from three), 2.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists to just 1.4 turnovers, and 0.9 steals.
Lowry thrived in his role, doing so many little things well — just as he has throughout his prime. Sharp rotations and defensive communication, switching up onto bigger guards and wings with his strength, drawing charges, baiting opponents into awkward fouls, setting solid screens, making crisp entry passes to Embiid, relocating into space as an off-ball shooter. He uses his intelligence so well at both ends of the floor, and that doesn’t go away with age. Nick Nurse has a long history with Lowry since their days in Toronto, and knows he can trust Lowry to execute in any moment.
Lowry’s play as a worthy starter continued through the playoffs, too. While diminished speed and a lack of shot creation was still evident, he delivered everything else you want from him. The shooting, quality passing, and feisty defense was all there.
Lowry also proved how easily he can still slot into different lineups, and either operate more as a playmaking point guard or off-ball shooter alongside Tyrese Maxey. Whether Lowry is next to Maxey and/or Paul George next season, Lowry can still provide his three-point shooting and extra complementary playmaking to benefit a bunch of different lineups.
The only real concern with Lowry at this point is his age. At 38 years old, we already saw last season that he understandably doesn’t have as much creative juice as he used to. He just doesn’t have the same downhill speed or zip to create shots for himself or drive to the basket anymore. But his high-IQ play, passing ability, shooting, and defense make up for it. The strength he brings on defense to cover bigger players means the Sixers don’t only need to put him on shiftier opposing point guards either.
The Sixers could use this skillset for their bench now, and upsize their starting lineup with Caleb Martin and George joining Maxey, Embiid, and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Plus, now that George is onboard, the Sixers have another creator they can utilize anyway. George certainly isn’t a lead playmaker and he’s arrived in Philly as the third option, which is an ideal scenario to put him in. He mainly just needs to thrive in an elite version of the “Tobias role”, where he’s burying threes (but actually doing so with efficiency and volume), creating behind Maxey and Embiid, and defending. However, George is still a capable enough passer who can lead the offense for short stretches with increased pick-and-rolls and on-ball reps.
Lowry is one of the top two or three passers on the team, and the Sixers will need that skill maybe more than anything else he brings to the table. However, while he’ll likely be an important (and probably fairly high-minute) piece off the bench to help keep things humming offensively, there isn’t as much pressure for him to handle quite as much as he used to.
Adding Eric Gordon to provide another offensive spark, with a touch of connective passing, simple attacks off the catch, and trusty shooting beyond the arc only helps as well.
Bringing Lowry back on a cheap deal was always going to be a good move for the Sixers. Him maybe losing another step as the end of his career approaches doesn’t change the fact that he still ticks so many boxes to keep being a key role player for this team.