During the NBA trading period, Kyle Lowry was the hottest name on the market. Every team wanted to get their hands on the point guard who was putting up a career-high season in Toronto. The Raptors were not hiding the fact that he was available in deal, but the deadline came and went and Lowry is still a member of the Raptors. Now that Toronto managed to keep him past the trade deadline, will the same go for free agency?
According to team sources at the Toronto Sun, general manager Masai Ujiri is very confident the Raptors can re-sign the point guard in free agency. Mike Ganter reports, "If Ujiri believed there was zero chance of re-signing Lowry, you can bet a fair amount of money he would have found a way to get some return on Lowry before he jumped ship. The fact that he is still here at least suggests not only that Ujiri has in an interest in retaining him, but that he believes he has a fair chance of getting his signature on another contract...."
Everyone wanted Lowry and were offering up big names to get him so Ganter has a point. The New York Knicks made a serious run at Lowry, offering up young assets like Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr in return. The Philadelphia 76ers were interested with an Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes deal. The Houston Rockets showed some interest. However, Ujiri turned down every deal.
"People are going to say it's a contract year, but in our opinion the kid has played all out and he has given it his all," Ujiri said, via the Toronto Sun. "Kyle has adjusted. We set some good rules and had good talks with him (at the beginning of the season). He was up front with us and we were up front with him ... and he is living up to his part and I think we have lived up to our part too and that's how you build partnerships and we'll see how he grows."
Re-signing Lowry will not be cheap. The point guard will be looking for a multi-year contract that could be worth upwards of $8 million per season. The question remains if the Raptors are looking to offer that. Right now, Lowry is their most valuable player. Toronto is currently holding tight to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference while ranking at the top of the Atlantic Division. If they make the playoffs, the Raptors could hold on to the point guard.
