Kyle Lowry hasn’t played for the Toronto Raptors since 2021, but he still ranks second in games played, first in assists and steals, and second in points in franchise history. He was an integral part of the Raptors’ championship run in 2019, averaging 15 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in the playoffs.
Lowry left Toronto two years later as one of the franchise’s greats, landing with the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade deal, and the Raptors eventually also moved on from all other remnants of their championship team to retool around Scottie Barnes.
The Raptors are still a ways away from being considered a contender again despite their return to the playoffs this season. Nevertheless, Lowry is optimistic about the team’s future, per an interview with the Toronto Sun’s Mark Daniell.
“With the Raptors now led by Scottie Barnes, Lowry said ‘the future is bright’ in Toronto. ‘These guys have a good thing going,’ he said, offering up praise for Barnes, Jamal Shead and head coach Darko Rajakovic. ‘This organization is in a great place right now,’” Daniell wrote.
Scottie Barnes still has a long way to go but could go down as a Raptors great as well
The expectations for Scottie Barnes and his Raptors tenure are high. He was, after all, the organization’s highest draft pick since Andrea Bargnani in 2006 and has grown into an All-Star and All-NBA-level player. The front office may bring in another big-time star to help him out, but the Raptors will go as far as Barnes can take them as a do-it-all star on both ends of the floor.
At 24 and only a few seasons into his NBA career, Barnes still has a lot of catching up to do to other franchise greats, but he is slowly working his way into Toronto’s all-time lists.
He currently ranks tenth in minutes played, seventh in field goals, tenth in free throws, sixth in offensive and defensive rebounds, seventh in blocks, sixth in assists, eighth in points, and second in triple-doubles. Given that the Raptors have no reason to move on from him and he’s given no indication that he wants to play elsewhere, Barnes should only continue to soar up those all-time lists.
If Barnes can help the Raptors win another championship, it only helps his case to go down as a franchise great alongside Lowry, Vince Carter, Kawhi Leonard, and DeMar DeRozan.
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