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Raptors officially announce Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade to Miami

It's officially official. Kyle Lowry is no longer under contract with the Toronto Raptors.

Kyle Lowry , The Canadian Press

Well, the rumours have become reality as Toronto announced the acquisitions of Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa from Miami, sending the franchise’s and city’s beloved leader, Kyle Lowry, back to the Heat.

The 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, Achiuwa averaged five points and 3.4 rebounds during his rookie season in South Beach. As a starter, those numbers increased to 14.3 points and 11.4 boards.

Dragic, on the other hand, is entering his 14th season in the NBA and his first with the Raptors. He’s coming off averages of 13.4 points and 4.4 assists while shooting 37 per cent from beyond the arc.

 

Shams Charania announced that Lowry signed an $85 million contract that spans over three years – $5 million less than what was rumoured. Although, that could easily be made up as part of any incentives included in the paperwork.

Lowry has been widely regarded as the Greatest Raptor of All-Time (G.R.O.A.T.) and just wrapped up an underwhelming season where the Raptors missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

He leaves Toronto as the franchise leader in several categories including three-pointers made and attempted, steals, assists, triple-doubles, and win shares.

It’s going to be weird as hell to see Lowry in a different uniform. He himself talked about his growth in Toronto and mentioned how he’s anticipating his return to the city to be an emotional one.

According to Jared Weiss, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum confirmed that Lowry’s number will indeed go up in the rafters and reiterated what Lowry already asserted to many of us at the end of the season: he will retire a Raptor.

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