Why the Raptors should trade Kyle Lowry

By: Rachael Bishop

There has been much discussion surrounding the Toronto Raptors, who are currently mired in a nine game losing streak.

Much of the debate surrounds player personnel and specifically one player, Kyle Lowry. Lowry is, without a doubt, one of the greatest Raptors ever. Certainly the most beloved Raptor ever.

The love affair appears to be mutual, as Lowry as said earlier this month that “I will retire as a Toronto Raptor … one-day contract, hey, whatever happens.”

Lowry, who arrived via trade in the summer of 2012, has become synonymous with the Raptors, and has embraced the city in a way that past franchise players such as Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh never did. Nor did Kawhi Leonard, the man largely responsible for the 2019 Championship, a man who was given free food for life at hundreds of Toronto establishments (Ka’wine and Dine), if he had re-signed in Toronto.

So if Kyle Lowry is so loved in Toronto and he has embraced the city like his own, why should the Raptors trade him?

It’s simple. Lowry is 34, closer to the end of his career than the beginning of it, and his hunger to win another Championship is very much apparent. Furthermore, Lowry recently sold his mansion in Toronto, a sign that likely means he is not planning on re-signing with the Raptors once his contract expires this summer.

The Raptors, for their part, lost two significant pieces to free agency this past offseason in centres Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, neither of whom were adequately replaced. And let’s not forget the loss of Leonard and Danny Green in the 2019 offseason. The team tried to run it back and win another Championship in the pandemic shortened 2020 season, but the losses of Leonard and Green were too big.

Then this summer, according to multiple reports, Toronto did not offer anything more than cheap one year contract extensions to Gasol and Ibaka, with hopes that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo would sign as a free agent in 2021. Giannis re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks instead, and Gasol and Ibaka both left for L.A .and two year contracts (with the Lakers and Clippers respectively). Waiting on Giannis to decide and subsequently losing two big men, both of whom are very strong defensively, was a massive blow to Toronto’s chances.

Team President Masai Ujiri and General Manager Bobby Webster tried to mend the holes with smaller pieces, but it has been clear from the beginning of the season that this Raptors team is very much like Jekyll and Hyde. Some nights, the team look like world beaters, and sometimes they lose to a team who had not won a game in 48 days. Yes, part of the Raptors losing streak was due to the fact that the team was missing five regulars due to COVID-19 protocols for several days, and those on the roster who tested positive, like Fred Van Vleet are still recovering; but the team was putting in inconsistent performances even before the COVID outbreak.

Lowry, for all he has done for Toronto, deserves to be on a contending team, that unfortunately, isn’t looking like the Toronto Raptors. From the Raptors perspective, it makes sense for them to trade him for future assets now than to lose him in the summer for nothing.

According to reports by ESPN NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are the two teams the most interested in Lowry, and have discussed a potential deal for Kyle Lowry, as well as shooting guard Norman Powell (who is having a career season). Lowry is from Philadelphia, and the team is currently first in the Eastern Conference and second overall in the entire NBA, so that looks like a fit. Miami- last season’s NBA finalist- is tied with the Atlanta Hawks for fourth in the East.

The Raptors deserve to do right by their franchise player, trading him is what is best for him, and it’s what is best for the team. Losing Norman Powell as well would hurt, but the fact that Ujiri and Webster are engaged in trade talks with key players signals to me that they know it is time to rebuild and retool around young stars Fred Van Vleet and Pascal Siakam.

As for Lowry wanting to finish his career as a Raptor? I’m sure that whenever he decides to hang up his laces, there will a one-day contract waiting for him in Toronto.