Kyle Lowry Heat Rumors: Raptors Close To Retaining Point Guard, Huge Contract A Good Idea? [VIDEO]

The Miami Heat are reportedly very interested in free agent point guard Kyle Lowry, but with their free agent situation very unsettled Lowry may opt to return to the Raptors for a big deal. Yahoo's Marc J. Spears reported a deal in which Lowry would receive $14.5 million a year was on the table, but around 11:00 p.m. Spears updated his tweet to say he'd been duped.

I heard Raps' offer to Kyle Lowry will start at $12 million annually. @SpearsNBAYahoo just reported Raptors' pitch will open at $14.5 mil

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 1, 2014

Lakers, Rockets in Lowry mix

Still, ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that a long-term deal worth about $12 million annually is being discussed, and that could be enough to convince him to stay in Toronto and be the leader of their young squad. The Raptors appear poised to make noise in the Eastern Conference for quite some time with a youthful core of Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas, but a big-money deal for Lowry may hamstring future efforts to improve the roster or add an established star.

On the other hand, it can be argued that Lowry is on the elite end of the point guard spectrum. Last season Lowry had a career campaign, averaging 17.9 points per game and 7.4 assists. He also was a terror defensively, putting up 1.5 steals a night. He's a 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and made 81 percent of his free throws on five attempts a night.

Heat Big 3 pressuring Pat Riley to upgrade supporting cast

The Heat figure to be an alluring destination, but Stein tweeted about the Raptors' confidence that they'll be able to keep him. "Miami's interest in Lowry is undeniable, but keep hearing Raps feel good about their chances with offer poised to start in $12 mil range," he posted. He followed that up with a second post, about their confidence level.

RE: rumbles Raptors already on verge of locking up Kyle Lowry ... all I can pass along is undeniable confidence from Raps about keeping him — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2014