The Toronto Raptors have an important decision to make with Kyle Lowry this season. Trade him or keep him?
I’d rather see the Toronto Raptors keep Lowry, but I can understand the idea of trading an asset who is set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA).
Even if the Raptors traded Lowry, or if he walked away as a UFA next off-season, his legacy doesn’t change. As soon as he retires, his #7 jersey will be forever hung in the rafters of Scotiabank Arena and a statue of him will sit outside. Since 2012, Lowry has been the heart and soul of this team and is the reason why they’re relevant.
From getting stuffed by the Brooklyn Nets at the rim in Game 7 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals to lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2019, Lowry has been through war in order to make the Raptors a reputable NBA franchise. The fans in Toronto have always been passionate, but it’s Lowry’s blue-collar work-ethic that has helped the fanbase grow into what it is today.
When you close your eyes and think of the Raptors, he’s the first name that pops up in your head. For some, it’s the image of him hitting a three, but for me, it’s of him taking a charge. He’s the king at drawing a foul and those plays change ball-games in an instant.
The 2021 off-season was supposed to be about pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo, so having contracts end before Free Agency was a must. However, now that the “Greek Freak” is unavailable, it’ll be interesting to see what the team does. Maybe the Raptors want to add around the current rotation again next year and run it back with Lowry, or maybe they want something fresh.
No matter what happens, I hope they treat the Lowry situation in a more professional manner than they did with DeRozan and if Lowry has to leave, it’s a mutual decision.
Let’s explore the leaving situation and figure out three teams the Raptors could make a deal with if they parted ways during the 2020-21 season.