The Kyle Lowry conundrum: To sign or not to sign?

Kyle Lowry has somehow managed to pit the Toronto Raptors fan base against one another. After 5 years of incredible play in Toronto, ‘KLow’ has the city (and NBA world) torn on whether or not he deserves a max contract. At the not-so-ripe age of 31, the demand will be there for Lowry. Will the Raptors bite?

Rewind back to 2012.

The Raptors were coming off a lockout-shortened season finishing with a horrendous 23-43 record in 66 games played.

Do any of these names ring a bell? Andrea Bargnani, Linas Kleiza, Solomon Alabi, Alan Anderson, Aaron Gray, Jerryd Bayless, Gary Forb-…

My sincerest apologies if your eyes were bleeding, but I’ll stop there.

Analyzing the roster from just a names-only perspective, you can clearly see the organizational direction led by former Raptors GM/President Bryan Colangelo, was entirely defunct.

Then came the day where one of the best Raptors’ decisions in franchise history was made:

July 5th, 2012

On this warm summer day, the Raptors traded Gary Forbes and a future 1st round pick to Houston for the so-called wild and untamed Kyle Lowry. Kyle was known for butting heads often with (now former) Rockets coach Kevin McHale which lent him an unenviable reputation across the NBA.

Now, I hate to shamelessly plug here but I can’t say I didn’t call it (Lowry was one of my favourite players in the league before he got to Toronto).

This was way back in 2012, one day before the Raptors acquired Lowry.

Then, the unimaginable happened.

Nothings into Somethings

Five years later, the acquisition of Kyle Lowry was the beginning of a massive shift in Raptors history. Losing was not acceptable anymore. Time passed as Lowry grew on and off the court with backcourt partner, DeMar DeRozan. The duo became known around the league for their playful post-game antics. The Raptors’ phenomenal backcourt led the team to an improving record every year from 2012 until 2016.

Both guards also got some personal hardware on the way.

DeRozan is now a 3-time All Star (2014, 2016, 2017) while Lowry shares the same honour (2015, 2016, 2017). A year separated, Lowry (2016) and DeRozan (2017) were also recognized as one of the top players in the association with All-NBA 3rd team honours.

Both players led Toronto to their first-ever 2nd round playoff appearance, and eventually the Eastern Conference Finals. The Raptors finished just two games shy of the NBA Finals losing to the inevitable champion, Cleveland Cavaliers.

Without question, if Lowry chooses to move on, the memories he gave this city will be fondly remembered.

From playoff experiences that stretched from absolutely remarkable…

To downright embarrassing…

All in all, the Canadian organization has gone through a sea of change in just five swift years. Players, management, and culture have experienced a complete transformation in the city. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Raptors fan who didn’t want to experience this rollercoaster ride all over again.

Simply put, when a healthy Lowry was leading this team, he was always barely on the outskirts of the MVP conversation. He was never the most aesthetically-pleasing player (like John Wall or Kyrie Irving), but there was something about this scrappy, chubby-to-burly, take-no-prisoners type mindset that Toronto fans appreciated so much.

Decisions, decisions

This is a pivotal decision for Lowry this offseason. Most NBA talking-heads believe (and rightly so) Lowry has a decision between money (which he can easily get from the Raptors) or rings (from San Antonio).

Now, it’s no guarantee Lowry gets a ring moving to Texas but do his chances increase?

Absolutely.

The Spurs have a definite top 5 (and arguably top 3) player in Kawhi Leonard. Pair him with LaMarcus Aldridge (who has disappointed, but was never truly meant to be a 2nd option), a solid bench rotation and you’ve got something special.

Oh, and then there’s that Gregg Popovich guy.

Yeah, him.

Lowry has also been rumoured to join his hometown Philadelphia 76ers but his own comments about “wanting rings and nothing else” diminishes that possibility.

For people wondering what Raptors President Masai Ujiri thinks, he wants him back. Ujiri held back no punches when he expressed desire in retaining Kyle Lowry in a end-of-season press conference.

The Aftermath

Lowry may or may not know it, but he effectively has many players (including his own) in a holding pattern. After the series-ending game 4 loss to the Cavaliers, Raptors forward PJ Tucker instantly admitted Lowry’s decision will have an impact on his own free agency decision. Serge Ibaka has not said the same, however one can only imagine he is thinking similar thoughts.

If Lowry leaves, it will hit Toronto like a bag of bricks. For fans, whether those bricks hurt you immediately or stun you and have you feeling the pain later, a Lowry departure will undoubtedly set this franchise back.

(Not to mention, DeMar DeRozan loses a late-night McFlurry partner).

In all seriousness, the pressing question is how many years will this setback last for Toronto?

Will Toronto fall into the deep, dark abyss that was 2002 to 2005 or 2008 to 2012 where nothing seemed right? Will they become the NBA’s version of the Atlanta Hawks — competitively average every season, no foundational player and zero chance at a ring? Or will Toronto somehow manage to stay atop the Eastern Conference and wait out the Goliath himself, LeBron James?

Lowry is one of the key chess-pieces in this year’s NBA Free Agency. His play has demanded this type of respect and high-regard from his NBA peers and media, alike.

This may just be the most important decision in Raptors franchise history.

To sign, or not to sign?

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