We thought the Kyle Lowry-Sixers link was forever dead after the Villanova product wound up staying in Toronto at the trade deadline.

ALAS – he is once against being connected to his hometown Philadelphia in an article from Sam Amick and John Hollinger at The Athletic:

Post-trade deadline prism: Lowry not getting traded at the March 25 deadline was quite a surprise, but it wasn’t for lack of trying on the part of the Toronto front office. But as team president Masai Ujiri made clear back then, the Raptors still have an incredibly high opinion of Lowry and his game that — as they saw it — wasn’t properly reflected in the offers that came their way. Yet among the three teams known to be in hot pursuit of Lowry back then — the Lakers, Miami and Philadelphia — only the Heat are in a financial position to possibly sign Lowry outright this summer. Sources say the Sixers still plan on pursuing him by way of a possible sign-and-trade. While they added George Hill at the deadline in lieu of Lowry, only $1.2 million of his $10 million salary for next season is guaranteed, and the deal expires at that point. The Lowry interest remains very strong there. — SA

At the time, Toronto basically just asked too much for Lowry. The Sixers did have interest, but also liked the team they currently had, and weren’t going to bend over backwards to acquire a 35-year-old point guard who reportedly also wanted a pricey extension.

As for the Sixers’ cap situation, the article mentions that Hill is only partially owed that 10 million next year. Danny Green and his $15 million are coming off the books as he becomes a free agent. Mike Scott, who is earning $5 million, will also become a UFA. Seth Curry will make about $8 million as he enters the third year of a four-year deal he signed in Dallas.

So there is going to be enough flex to work Lowry in at a lower salary, if he’ll agree to it. His per-36 scoring numbers are slightly down, but he’s shooting 38% from three and doing all of the quality veteran things he always does, even for a Raptors team that is almost two seasons removed from the title run and currently struggling.

Something to keep an eye on once we get to the summer.

(also, somewhere, the Maestro has a massive erection)