Toronto Raptors trade rumors 2016: May end up trading Lowry

After splitting the first two games of the 2016-17 season, the Toronto Raptors are trying to reclaim their spot as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Last year was a great campaign but they fell short of their goal to reach the NBA Finals. This year is supposed to be the one where they fine-tune things to get back in the right direction.

Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors. | Wikimedia Commons / Mathew Addie

However, it has been a tough start for one of their stars and if Kyle Lowry does not pick up the pace he might be better off traded so the Raptors can stay afloat.

Fan Sided suggested that the organization should at least look into trading Lowry because the guard admitted that he would like to test the market when he is a free agent by the end of this year.

Lowry has a deal until the end of the 2017-18 campaign, but the last year has a player option and Lowry will try and get as much as he can whether playing for Toronto or not.

For someone who wants as much money as he does, this year should be Lowry's best, but the first two games have been rough for the All-Star guard.

In the first game, a 109-91 win over the Detroit Pistons, Lowry struggled with only 10 points while shooting 3-of-13 from the field and 1-of-5 from beyond the arc. He played over 37 minutes but was barely a factor in the game.

In the second game of the season, Lowry did slightly better with 17 points but shot poorly from the field in a 94-91 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Against the Cavs, Lowry was expected to shine as he was facing a familiar opponent. However, he is still having trouble and if this continues, the Raptors may find it difficult to give him the deal he wants, resulting in them simply trying to trade him within the year.