Ex-NBA Guard Warns Kyle Lowry As Buyout Looms: Lakers Want to ‘Make You the Fall Guy’

The former Miami Heat guard was traded to the Charlotte Hornets but could receive a contract buyout and become a free agent.

Following the Miami Heat‘s trade to acquire Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, it appears likely that veteran guard Kyle Lowry, who was included in the deal, could find his way to the buyout market. Charlotte is expected to try to negotiate a trade involving the 37-year-old guard, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported, but if that doesn’t pan out, Lowry could have a chance to select his next team.

With a buyout possibly on the horizon, former NBA guard Evan Turner gave some advice to the former Heat guard: Don’t go to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Kyle, do not go to the Lakers, they are trying to make you the fall guy,” Turner posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Think about your legacy.”

It’s reverse recruiting at its finest by the 10-year NBA player, who spent time with five different teams. For good measure, Turner, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2010 NBA draft, never has played for Los Angeles, Miami or Charlotte. He’s also never played on the same team as Lowry, so the advice is interesting.

Kyle Lowry was traded from the Heat to the Hornets on Tuesday and could be on the move again in the coming days / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

But what likely led to Turner’s post was the end of the brief Russell Westbrook era for the Lakers and a potential trade on the horizon involving guard D’Angelo Russell. Regardless, the Lakers will be a team to watch on the buyout market for any player who can add value as a shooter or defender.