Raptors fans hold a special place in their hearts for a select group of players, with Kyle Lowry often standing at the top as the arguable GROAT (Greatest Raptor of All Time). While Vince Carter, DeMar DeRozan, and Pascal Siakam have also left their mark, no tenure in Toronto has been as storied as KLow's.
His accomplishments tell the tale of an underdog star who rose to the occasion: six consecutive appearances in the NBA All-Star Game, an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2016, and a triumphant NBA Championship victory in 2019 that marked the pinnacle of his career.
One day, the tenacious guard who proudly wore "7" for many years will undoubtedly see that illustrious number and jersey hanging in the rafters of Scotiabank Arena when his career comes to an end. I believe it's highly likely that his jersey will be the next to be retired by the Raptors, following Vince Carter's well-deserved ceremony in this historic season.
Speaking of retirements, Senior NBA writer Tim Bontemps of ESPN would reveal Lowry's desired direction for the tail-end of his career. However, his response is likely to sadden Raptors Nation, as it doesn’t include what many feel should be the storybook ending to KLow's NBA journey.
Bontemps' April 13 post on X highlighted the following about Lowry's future:
Kyle Lowry says he wants to play one more year, which would make it an even 20 in the NBA, and that he hopes it will be here with his hometown 76ers.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 13, 2025
He, like Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, said that the inconsistency this group has had all season was a big issue beyond injuries.
Despite all the turmoil and hurdles facing the 76ers, Lowry has made it clear that his desired destination to end things off is in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Kyle Lowry plans on closing out career with 76ers, not Raptors
In the Bontemps post, he even mentioned Lowry acknowleding that their issues extended way further than just injuries, and I think many fans (not just the 76ers fanbase) are fully aware of this disfunction plaguing the franchise.
I get it for sure, it's not all the time you can call it a career playing for your native town, but I'd argue that Toronto is the only place Lowry should suit up in NBA threads for his final hurrah. After all, it was in Toronto that Kyle Lowry became a household name, a legend forever etched in the annals of not only Raptors history but also in the story of basketball in Canada as a whole.
I know he's expressed interest in signing a one-day contract to capture that moment. While Lowry may be well past his prime and arguably not at a level that justifies playing time anymore, he remains one of the NBA's most respected veterans—a fitting mentor for any young talent to learn from and mature wisely.
Just look at how he’s built a relationship with Jared McCain over in Philly. Now, imagine Lowry fostering that same rapport with Scottie Barnes, who just missed out on the Lowry era. Better yet, think about his potential connection with Jamal Shead, who has been widely regarded as Lowry's junior.
I think Lowry understands that his best days are behind him, so a reunion in Toronto wouldn't mean he's taking minutes away from the blossoming young players. If anything, he would serve a role similar to what Garrett Temple currently does for this core, but with even more impact.
One last run storylines always provide feel-good conclusions to careers—just look at how all-time greats like Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade ended their journeys. While Kyle Lowry may not be as playable now as those legends were in their final seasons, simply having him as a presence on the roster would surely bring smiles to Raptors fans.
He mentioned that it’s his “hope” to return to Philly, so nothing is set in stone just yet. However, if I were in the Raptors' front office, I’d definitely reach out to Lowry to pitch him this idea and hopefully get him on board with the vision.