Toronto Raptors: Thank you for changing this franchise, Kyle Lowry

After the fanbase spent an offseason spent wondering what the next move would be for their franchise player, Kyle Lowry is no longer part of the Toronto Raptors, as he’s taking his talents to Miami to play for the Heat next season.

It was reported by the likes of Adrian Wojnawoski and others that the six-time NBA All-Star has agreed to a contract that would lock him in with Miami for the next three years. After nine years with the Raptors, Lowry is heading to Florida for Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa.

Lowry was more than just a basketball player in the NBA. He was family to the city of Toronto and the fans across the country of Canada that always stand behind this team every single season.

His work ethic, his attitude, and his hunger are all second to none, and he is truly the definition of someone that works their tail off every single day to get better while helping his teammates get better as well.

Kyle Lowry left an indelible impact on the Toronto Raptors

What Lowry has done for not just the Raptors organization, but for the city of Toronto in general and the fans that watch him and this team is amazing. His grind to get better and better along with his demeanor rubs off onto the fans in the city, and it honestly felt like this team could do anything as long as they put their mind to it.

Lowry proved that several times over during his tenure with the Raptors. Lowry was always a player that never got the love and recognition he truly deserved from the larger NBA media landscape until the 2018-19 season, when they won the 2019 NBA championship.

His time in Toronto was a blast to be a part of and the city of Toronto and the country of Canada isn’t just going to miss a great NBA player, but they’re going to miss a great person in general with him leaving to go to Miami.

Kyle Lowry’s Accomplishments

After spending nine whole seasons in Toronto, Lowry has become the Greatest Raptor of All-Time, well to the majority of the fans at least, not to all.

• 2019 NBA Champion
• 2016 All-NBA Third Team
• 6x NBA All-Star (2015-2020)
• Franchise leader in assists 
• Franchise leader in triple-doubles
• Franchise leader in steals
• Franchise leader in three-point field goals

And the list goes on. He ranks top three in multiple other categories within the Raptors organization. It’s special to see someone that put blood, sweat, and tears into every game he played when he wore that Raptors uniform be rewarded to this degree.

And on top of all that, Lowry has also helped the city with the Lowry Love Foundation.

The LLF is an organization created by Kyle Lowry back in 2013 that is committed to helping the lives of many underprivileged kids in Philadelphia (his hometown) and Toronto to help give them a better quality of life.

Lowry has two sons, so we all know how much family and kids mean to this man. For someone who is so dedicated to the Lowry Love Foundation, as well as playing basketball for the Toronto Raptors and being a hero in the city of Toronto, he will truly be missed in the city when he plays for the Heat.

Kyle Lowry has meant so much to this franchise.

Raptors history can be divided into 3 distinct epochs, as the time before, during, and after the Lowry stand out as their own defined points. Before Lowry, the Raptors had some great players, but all of that glitz and glamor very rarely translated into wins.

During the Lowry era, Lowry and DeMar DeRozan became consistent winners before LeBron James repeatedly stomped them into the dirt in the postseason. After adding Kawhi, Kyle and the Raptors were finally able to put a ring on their fingers.

After Lowry, who knows? At the very least, the team is positioned well for success thanks to players like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Scottie Barnes.

Best of luck down in South Beach, Kyle. Thank you for everything you’ve done in Toronto.