Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry declining Team USA invite is the right move

Last night sent the Toronto Raptors fanbase into a state of unbridled euphoria, as they were able to somehow land the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Considering that Kyle Lowry is a free agent, they could use this selection to potentially land his successor if he does indeed decide to leave.

Lowry averaged 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game this year, as even in the middle of a lost season for the Raptors, he proved that he ranks among the very best point guards in the game, giving him a very robust market.

However, because age has done little to diminish his effectiveness, Lowry received an invitation to help his country take home a gold medal as a member of the Team USA Olympic squad. While most players would only dream of getting such a treasured recommendation, Lowry is in a position where he could turn them down.

Lowry, per Adrian Wojnarowski, declined his invitation to join the 12-man roster for the Summer Olympics, citing his impending free agency. While watching Lowry on a squad widely expected to take home the gold would have been quite a sight to see, he made the right move for his future by skipping.

Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry has no incentive to join Team USA.

All it would take is one awkward landing or freak incident, like what happened to Paul George years ago, to ruin Lowry’s chances at earning that one last huge contract in free agency. Play it safe and go into free agency fully healthy and ready to maximize earning potential.

It’s very weird to say that a team wouldn’t need a player of Lowry’s caliber, but after some poor performances over the last few years thanks to declining interest from some of the top stars, there has been a renewed effort for some of the best in the world to lace it up for their country on the international stage.

Some of the names who have already committed to join Team USA include Kevin Durant, James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum. The Americans will be the favorites for the medal with or without Lowry, so why cost yourself a bag and some potential suitors by risking your health in this competition?

It would’ve been awesome to see the world at large get a taste of the style that has helped the Raptors reach such lofty heights over the years, but Lowry appears to be making a business decision backed by some unimpeachable logic, and fans can’t hate him for that.