The Toronto Raptors, for the second time, have shocked the NBA world by pulling off a blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Raptors have traded Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap, and two second-rounders for Leonard.
The last time Toronto made a blockbuster deal for Leonard, it resulted in the franchise's only NBA Championship, and maybe his return will trigger the return of another franchise legend: Kyle Lowry.
In his five years away from the Raptors, Lowry has been chasing another chance to taste an NBA Championship first with the Miami Heat and then the Philadelphia 76ers. While he didn't achieve his goal with either of those teams, he did show the value his voice and personality can provide for young talent and a locker room in general.
For a while now, it’s been known that Lowry is planning on signing a one-day contract to retire with the Raptors, and with the conclusion of his 20th NBA season, that day is approaching fast. But what if, instead of a one-day contract, that day becomes a year?
Kyle Lowry could be the type of voice the Raptors locker room needs
When talking about chasing a championship, one thing that can’t be overlooked is veteran experience. Outside of Leonard, when looking at this Raptors roster as is, they lack experienced guys who know what it takes to climb the NBA’s mountain top.
Lowry could change that.
This Raptors team is young at heart, and last season, they were one of those teams with minimal expectations who made the playoffs and were happy to be here. When you swap out Brandon Ingram for a 35-year-old Kawhi Leonard, being a happy-to-be-here team is no longer an option.
Next season, head coach Darko Rajakovic is going to have to set a new president because the front office just made a gutsy move to help this team become closer to being true title contenders. So what better person to help Rajakovic set that standard than the franchise's greatest player ever and someone who was Robin to Kawhi’s Batman on that 2019 championship-winning team.
For someone like Immanuel Quickely, who has struggled with his health and consistency at times, Lowry could be a secondary voice of reinforcement and someone he could lean on. Just look at the positive impact he’s had on players like V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey during his time in Philly. On top of that, neither Leonard nor Scottie Barnes gives off vocal leader vibes, but someone who does and can command the respect of a locker is Lowry.
With the limited roster space the Raptors have, signing a guy to basically be an extension of the coaching staff may seem like a risky play. But the value that someone who has the familiarity Lowry has with the Raptors organization and Leonard as a person and teammate can’t be overlooked.
If Lowry is open to it and Toronto wants to give him his storybook ending, what better way to do it than have him be part of their second championship pursuit with Kawhi Leonard?
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