Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry may have helped deliver the franchise their first championship last season, but his future is relatively uncertain.
Lowry is in the final year of a three-year deal he signed with the Raptors back in 2017, but he told Michael Grange of Sportsnet he is not stressing over becoming a free agent:
Lowry’s point of maximum leverage is now, riding high as a champion, the waters calm. How hard he chooses to press for a new deal could rock the boat in a hurry and could put those championship vibes in the rear view quickly.
“I’ve been here the longest now, I’ve been through the ups and downs and I was able to help bring a championship here, an unbelievable team … I’m not saying I’m the sole reason but I feel I have a great pride,” said Lowry, who added that his preparing for the upcoming season is about a month behind schedule after having off-season surgery on his left thumb.
“Not really worried about the free agency thing. My representation is talking to them, nothing’s been obviously been taken care of. It’s an ongoing conversation but for me, it’s just going out there and doing my job like I’ve always been, be professional and lead the best I can like I’ve always done.”
The Raptors have plenty of decisions to make as this season unfolds. Lowry, Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka will all be free agents next summer, and Toronto no longer appears to be a serious title contender without the services of Kawhi Leonard.
Some have wondered whether or not the Raptors would consider trading the likes of Lowry and Gasol in order to maximize their value and focus their cap on younger assets like VanVleet or Pascal Siakam.
Regardless, Lowry is ready to run it back with the defending champions.
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