July 7 will be a day forever remembered in Toronto as Kyle Lowry Day.
With No. 7 heading to the rafters, Lowry took to the podium to speak on his career, life in Toronto, and some memories from his nine years with the Raptors organization. One of the final things Lowry spoke on was Kawhi Leonard, who was sitting in the front row despite the trade not yet being official. Lowry touched on how special that 2019 run with Leonard was, and set the tone for the 2026-27 Raptors as they gear up for a run at the franchise's second NBA Championship.
“Championship is the only aspiration. That’s why he’s here,” Lowry said regarding Leonard and his return to the Six.
What does Kyle Lowry think of the #Raptors' reunion with Kawhi Leonard?
— Daniele Franceschi (@Daniele_Media) July 7, 2026
"They're trying to win another championship, starting with that guy over there (Kawhi). You get to that point, championship is the only aspiration. That's why he's here." pic.twitter.com/gyKGFto5nQ
After a feel-good 2025-26 season that saw the Raptors win 46 games and make their first playoff appearance in three seasons, Lowry reminded everyone that when a player like Leonard arrives, everything changes. The Raptors went from a fun, rising young group coming off a surprise playoff berth to a finals-or-bust situation. They have that bonafide No. 1 guy in Leonard now, and both the timeline and expectations of this team have changed drastically.
‘Aspirations’ change with Kawhi Leonard’s return
It feels like Toronto entered next season with the same core group centered around BI and Barnes—the Raptors would be stuck in a process of feeling things out. Spending the next several years evaluating who fits long-term, who doesn’t, and being hesitant to make any major moves that would shake things up.
But when you’re a team led by a now 35-year-old former Finals MVP, if you aren’t playing at a championship level, you could be dealt the next day, and Lowry’s own story was a reminder that championship windows require uncomfortable decisions.
During the presser, there were references to a potential Lowry trade that almost happened in the 2018-19 campaign. This is a reminder that anyone can be dealt at any time, and when the goal is winning a title, everything is on the table for an NBA front office.
When that type of pressure hangs over a team and everyone knows only Barnes and Leonard are untouchable, the level of play tends to rise. That’s what drives a team to play championship-level basketball.
By trading for Leonard, the Raptors' front office told everyone what their goal is next season: to win it all. So, whether it’s a trade after a slow start, a big-time deadline splash (Marc Gasol in 2019), or a guy moving into a different role off the bench, whatever it takes to win is on the table for this team. If this group can get to a favorable spot in the postseason, they have the one-two punch of elite two-way players in Leonard and Barnes to win it all.
Lowry’s final press conference didn’t just celebrate the past, but set the stage for the 2026-27 season. It served as a reminder that with Kawhi Leonard back in Toronto, the only thing that matters now is winning another championship.
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