Revisiting the top 5 trades in Toronto Raptors history

2. Kyle Lowry to the Toronto Raptors

All of these trades are synonymous with some sort of moment in Toronto Raptors history, but the trade that brought Kyle Lowry to the Toronto Raptors is the one that, if we’re being honest, is probably a key reason why every other trade happened.

Lowry was treading water with the Houston Rockets and clashed with several authority figures in his first few years in the NBA, including former Rockets’ coach Kevin McHale. He spent four seasons in Houston and eventually worked his way up to the starting point guard position until his departure in the summer of 2012.

The cost for the Raptors wasn’t that costly at all. Gary Forbes, who was packaged with a first-round pick that was then flipped to the Oklahoma City Thunder, was waived at the start of the NBA season and never set football on an NBA court again. However, that first-round pick would become Steven Adams, so that worked out for OKC – just not Houston.

For the Raptors, they got Kyle Lowry. The player who would help lead the Toronto Raptors into its most successful period in franchise history culminating in last season’s title triumph. Lowry is the franchise leader in assists and, arguably, the greatest player in Raptors history. A player who is willing to give his all to win a single game.

For 549 games, Lowry has been the engine and the heart and soul of the Toronto Raptors, willing them with his aggression, court vision, and all-around superb play. Often a scapegoat for his playoff performances during the early years, Lowry wrapped up Game 6 of the NBA Finals with one of the most complete performances of his career.

Who would have known what was to come in 2012?