MAY 12: Lowry has officially opted out of his contract, according to his agency, ASM Sports (Twitter link).
MAY 8: As expected, Kyle Lowry will opt out of his contract with the Raptors and become a free agent this summer. Lowry confirmed the decision today to reporters in his exit interview following the Raptors’ elimination from the playoffs, though he’s not sure what his next move after that will be, as Josh Lewenberg of TSN 1050 tweets.
“Honestly I haven’t thought too far ahead of any of that,” Lowry said of his looming free agency. “I will be opting out, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten.”
Lowry, who called the prospect of entering free agency “fun, but stressful” (Twitter link via Sportsnet’s Michael Grange) had indicated way back in October that he’d likely opt out at season’s end. The decision is an easy one, as Lowry’s player option for 2017/18 is worth just $12MM. The 31-year-old will be able to easily exceed that on the open market.
Just because Lowry will opt out of his Raptors contract though, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll leave Toronto. The Raps will still have a leg up in contract negotiations, since they can offer him more years (five) and higher raises (8%) than any other team can (four years and 5% raises).
Still, Masai Ujiri and company will face some tough decisions this summer, with Serge Ibaka, Patrick Patterson, and P.J. Tucker also facing free agency. The Raptors front office will have to determine whether it’s worth potentially going into tax territory to keep the club’s current core together after a demoralizing second round sweep at the hands of the defending champion Cavaliers.
[RELATED: Community Shootaround: Raptors’ Free Agents]
For the 2016/17 season, Lowry averaged a career-high 22.4 PPG to go along with 7.0 APG, 4.8 RPG, and a .464/.412/.819 shooting line in 60 games. He was named an All-Star for the third consecutive year.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
To the Spurs? Mavericks?
Mavs maybe. Can’t see him being a Spurs guy – the LMA signing was out of character..this would be way above and beyond.
Sixers need to sign him and Ibaka
Ibaka yes Lowry no. Bayless should be brought back and not a 31 year old who is injury prone.
He’ll be back with the Raptors. They will offer him what he wants, other guys come next.
Lowry is a nice Sixers story except he’s not 26, he’s 31. He’s too old to factor long term for the end of LBJs reign. Toronto went for it, all in and went bust. Celtics have a halfway approach and still a big underdog. Sixers shouldn’t target any ‘star’via trade or FA that is older than 25-26 next season.
Drafting a PG and SG is the way to go. Proven is nice but drafting is cheaper and extends the window. Monk is a shooter. Fultz is a shooter. Fox is a slasher not a shooter and maybe Rondo without the assists or a lite John Wall he’s option 3. Smith is a volume guy I don’t want him. French kid is a “process” pick.
I wish I was as confident in my life as you are projecting NBA talent
I have eyes. I’m sure you have them too… Or are you on some other Earth where Monk didn’t shoot 39.7 3P% Fultz didn’t shoot 41.3%. Watch Fox play, he’s a threat to get to the rim at anytime, which isn’t exactly ideal for the Sixers, but he’s better than Smith. As for Smith, just watch some of his games and you won’t be ‘in love’ with him as a future PG, I don’t see natural PG skills lot of wild passes, picks up his dribble, is a chucker/streaky, more of a SG – he may have a good career, but I don’t want him for the Sixers, they need pure shooters/aggressive scorers. And Frank is a true work in progress, which means he’d extend the ‘process’ longer. I didn’t even mention Ball, b/c idk who wants to deal with Lavar. Draft him and sell his rights to the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
Think there is a team out there that would do a sign and trade with the Raps for Lowry?