Kyle Lowry – Toronto Raptors

While we are talking about the Toronto Raptors, let’s talk about Kyle Lowry and the drama surrounding the Toronto Raptors. After putting together five consecutive seasons with 51+ wins, the Raptors have finally come back down to Earth and are currently fighting for their playoff lives at this point. 

How did we get here you may ask? Well, the Raptors have dealt with COVID-19 related issues all season long, as well as several key players dealing with injuries throughout the season. Due to their lack of success and the fact that they have some financial problems, they traded Norman Powell at the trade deadline and were extremely close to finalizing a deal to send Kyle Lowry to the 76ers. 

Trade talks slowed down at the last-minute and Kyle Lowry remained with the Toronto Raptors, to the delight of Raptors fans everywhere. Not trading Lowry though could ultimately have major consequences on this franchise, because they could have received a ton of value for him. 

Now, the 35-year-old point guard is going to be an unrestricted free agent and there are still some teams that are expected to pursue him, including his hometown Philadelphia 76ers. If the Raptors lose Kyle Lowry in NBA free agency, which seems like a very likely possibility, then they will be kicking themselves that they did not trade him for some young talents and draft picks at the NBA trade deadline this year. 

RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: 4 teams who will regret not being “buyers” at the trade deadline

Kyle Lowry is a very loyal person and will give the Raptors a great chance to offer him the contract he wants, but overall, this will come down to whether or not Lowry wants to finish his career with the Raptors or if he wants another shot to win a championship. 

Kyle Lowry is the face of the franchise in Toronto and will go down as one of the All-Time greatest Raptors players ever, but there will be opportunities for him to sign with title contending teams this offseason, which could be more lucrative for a veteran guard as he enters the final years of his career.