Kyle Lowry has run out of options, and is likely to return to the Toronto Raptors.

With Kyle Lowry opting out of his final season with the Toronto Raptors to test free-agency after a disappointing year, Raptors fans were left clueless on what their future held. It should come to no surprise that an NBA player would like to play on a team that has the money and a talented roster, enough to be a contender. For Lowry, the Raptors just might not be enough, but his free agency market doesn’t have much to offer.

Are Kyle Lowry’s days in the North numbered?

Bleacher Report earlier published an article stating that the Raptors star had “zero interest” in returning to the Toronto Raptors. Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star also cited his league sources saying Lowry “has been grumbling with dissatisfaction with the Raptors for months.” Arthur claims that even if the free-agent was offered a five-year maximum deal–he would decline.

However, Kyle Lowry quickly spoke out about this indirectly, by telling his social media followers not to believe everything they see about him online to be true. Lowry clearly still has an interest in playing for his North side fans. Raptors president Masai Ujiri spoke out about the rumors and added that Lowry “says he wants to come back,” Ujiri said Tuesday per ESPN.

“I know what Kyle has told me,” Ujiri said. “Kyle has been here working out—he actually just left—so I know what he has been telling me. I can only believe what he tells me, not the famous ‘sources.’”

With the future looking bleak and a dream of a championship to Toronto fading away, it isn’t shocking to see why he’d want to explore his options

The Raptors are currently stuck in contender purgatory. There seems to be enough hope for the team to push through the eastern conference and have their shot in the NBA Finals, as if they were one or two pieces away. On the other hand, the Raptors struggle in the playoffs and are dominated by players like LeBron James who crush their dreams year after year. Regardless of the addition of Serge Ibaka and DeMar DeRozan coming off his best season, it still wasn’t even close to taking out the Cavaliers, losing the playoff series in just 4 games.

Testing the shallow waters of Kyle Lowry’s free-agent market.

Lowry had a career-high 22.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7 assists per game this year. His most efficient season yet scoring wise despite being injured and only playing 60 games. With a field goal percentage of 46% and career high 41% from the three.

So why aren’t contending teams so eager on signing Kyle Lowry?

The Raptors guard is certainly a great player in the regular-season of the NBA. When playoff time comes around, it would seem Lowry loses his confidence and consistency. When players are supposed to elevate their game, the 6’1 guard only seems to fall short of his expectations.

However, giving credit where it is due, it was one of his most efficient playoff runs yet. Lowry’s scoring average though fell to only 15.8 points per game, his second lowest in the postseason since signing with Toronto. It also didn’t help that in the final two games against Cleveland, he sat out with an ankle sprain.

Philly is out

Lowry’s hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers, is no longer interested after trading to get the 1^st pick to acquire Markelle Fultz. The San Antonio Spurs no longer have interest pursuing him because of the most obvious upgrade Chris Paul being a free-agent. There are rumors that the Chicago Bulls might be interested in Lowry, but with Dwyane Wade opting in and Jimmy Butler being in trade talks there’s a small chance they would pursue the free-agent point guard.

A strong reason for contenders not pursuing Lowry is because of his poor playoff performances. The fact that he will be 32 years old also plays a part and means he is likely to be falling out of his prime in the next couple of years.

Will Lowry stay true to the six?

Lowry has an obvious choice: re-signing with the Toronto Raptors is his best option.

DeRozan is confident they have the best backcourt in the NBA. The Raptors have the chemistry, the young passionate players willing to put in the work, a supportive and eager fan base, the right to discuss a more than fair contract and one of the best contending teams in the East. If Raptors can work out their kinks and find the pieces they need to push them over the top, there is no doubt Lowry would help them get their best shot at doing so.

Lowry should be expected to return to reform his dynamic duo with DeRozan, but the NBA offseason so far has been suprising at every corner, so Raptors fans should keep their eyes peeled on what’s next for the city of Toronto.